Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Northern Territory Government has announced a grant of $75,000/year over two years to assist the Extractive Industry Association (EIA) improve its environmental management practices.

Mines and Energy Minister David Tollner said extractive operators provide the resources that underpin the infrastructure development of the Northern Territory. 

"There is no construction or development without the base materials that the industry supplies to the broader community and the NT Government is committed to improving the extractive industry’s environmental management standards, including increasing the quality of Mining Management Plan documents and on-ground environmental management practices,” he said.

“The extractive industry is working to become more sustainable in terms of ongoing land use post mining and this grant will assist in raising environmental management standards.

“The funds for this grant will be taken from the Mining Remediation Fund in accordance with its purpose of minimising or rectifying environmental harm caused by unsecured mining activities."

The Mining Remediation Fund is made up of contributions from a levy on the environmental security bonds for mining activities which aims to address legacy mine liabilities, and funds a dedicated Legacy Mines Unit to work directly on legacy issues.

This latest grant from the NT Government will be used to fund EIA’s Environmental Management Project, which will provide technical support to members of the EIA in the NT.

These guidelines/fact sheets will seek to address environmental matters of relevance to the operation of the extractive industry which will include improvements to:

• Water management
• Flora and fauna management
• Rehabilitation
• Noise and air quality management
• Invasive species management

“Workshops will also be organised with the extractive industry and relevant stakeholders on improving outcomes for the industry with regards to environmental management or extractive mining activities,” Mr Tollner said.

“Extractive industry members aim for continuous improvement in all areas of their business operations and the Environmental Management Project grant will assist the EIA to deliver better environmental outcomes for both industry and the broader community,” EIA CEO Tom Harris said.

“The EIA welcomes the Northern Territory Government’s grant funding and is looking forward to working with a range of stakeholders to deliver a robust series of environmental guidelines and factsheets.”

“The Mining Remediation Fund and these grants to improve environmental standards in the extractive industry are a proud initiative of the Country Liberals Government,” Mr Tollner said.

About EIA

The EIA is the Northern Territory’s industry body representing those who extract and process the sand, gravel and crushed stone products which are used in their own right, or as ingredients for the materials used in the building of the infrastructure which supports the development of the NT.

Media Contact:

Minister Tollner - Marnie Hobson 0409 527 909

EIA – Tom Harris 0410 533 263