The first phase of a major mine remediation program in the Northern Territory has been completed, with the next stage set to kick off later this year.
The works to date have included backfilling of 182 mine voids, installing 27 shaft covers and 35 adit covers and fencing and signposting 16 mine voids at legacy sites in Tennant Creek, around 500km north of Alice Springs.
The $5.5 million program from the NT Department of Mining and Energy aims to remove public safety risks from historical mine sites while creating employment and economic benefits for regional Territorians.
The delivery of remediation projects is funded through an annual one per cent levy paid by mining companies operating in the NT on their securities.
NT Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the state Government was committed to ensuring legacy mine sites are remediated to protect communities and support regional economies.
“Mining has been an integral part of the Northern Territory’s history for more than 150 years, but historical mining activities have left behind a range of legacy features such as open shafts, degraded infrastructure, tailings dams, and waste rock dumps,” Maley said.
“The safety program we’ve delivered in Tennant Creek is addressing these risks by remediating over 260 legacy mine features, keeping the public safe and providing significant local employment opportunities for Territorians.
“This is about delivering on-the-ground results for regional and remote areas, with real benefits for local communities.”
The works completed so far engaged 19 local businesses in Tennant Creek, created six new jobs, and employed four Aboriginal workers.
“This program has been a real boost for Tennant Creek, not just in terms of safety but also in creating local jobs and supporting businesses,” NT Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Steve Edgington said.
“The work done through the legacy mine program shows how investment in regional communities can pay off.”
The next phase of the program will see further legacy mine sites remediated in Alice Springs and Pine Creek, with works progressing for legacy mine audits in the Katherine and Darwin regions as well.
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