MMG Rosebery has today re-entered its mining lease at South Marionoak to progress approved technical and environmental assessments of the proposed tailings storage facility (TSF) site.
The low-impact work, expected to be complete by the end of April, will involve the use of light vehicles on existing access tracks, along with on-foot surveys. All activity will be carried out in strict accordance with conditions set by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE), which ruled in January the preliminary site investigations were not a controlled action under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act).
General Manager Steve Scott said the preliminary works were necessary to determine the feasibility of constructing a TSF at the site, and to gather the research and data required for the Environmental Impact Statement which must be approved before a facility can be built.
“The work currently being undertaken is required to inform the assessment process,” Mr Scott said.
“This includes conducting detailed environmental surveys to identify any threatened species potentially present at site and developing appropriate mitigation and offset strategies.”
Mr Scott said site access requirements necessitated the removal of an unlawful blockade on Helilog Road.
“MMG Rosebery respects the right of people to protest peacefully and have their voices heard.”
“When you have spent years receiving permits, approvals and developing detailed protective measures, I think it is reasonable that we should be able to safely access our own mining lease.”
“Our environmental surveys are intended to identify the flora and fauna in the area that requires exclusion and buffer zones for protection.”
Mr Scott said the EPBC Act assessment process was rigorous and comprehensive and provided many opportunities for the community to have a say on the project.
“We are committed to finding the safest and most balanced solution to extend the life and contribution of the Rosebery Mine, minimise impacts to the environment, and secure the future of its 500 employees and contractors,” Mr Scott said.
Environmental controls
MMG will take careful measures to avoid significant impacts on EPBC listed threatened species and communities as outlined by the Department. Some of these will include weed management, implementation of buffer zones, restricting the width of new access tracks, restricting the number of drill holes and total area of clearance.
Measures to protect the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle and Tasmanian Devil include no impact within a 1 km line of sight from any known and active eagle nest during breeding season. Speed restrictions, pre-clearance protocols, and exclusion zones will protect any known Tasmanian Devil dens and habits.
Media Enquiries
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