Economy
Mines contaminate 40 Tasmanian rivers
Tasmania’s Resources Minister Bryan Green has revealed about 40 Tasmanian rivers have been contaminated by mining activity.
The Greens have used a budget estimates hearing to ask for an update on Government plans to remediate mine sites.
They have also asked Mr Green about Government plans to tackle heavy metals contamination of rivers and streams.
Mr Green told the committee the Government is doing what it can and has tightened environmental laws for new and existing mines.
“We’ve got a fund, not a huge amount, that allows us to mitigate when we can,” he said.
“We admit that there is a large task to undertake.
“New mines have a far more stringent arrangement in place with respect to dealing with the sign-off from the EPA, but yes there is a legacy issue in Tasmania.”
Greens MP Paul O’Halloran said there were economic opportunities in the rehabilitation of former mine sites.
• TT Media today: Lead in Tasmanian drinking water
• Kay Seltitzas Toxic Heavy Metals Taskforce Tasmania: MMG Rosebery mine top job vacancies – has the lead in water scared them away? The bush telegraph has been working overtime from Rosebery to the eastern side of Tasmania. After a bit of web searching we were able to confirm the rumours that quite a few jobs have been advertised at MMG Rosebery mine since the discovery by Cradle Mountain Water of lead in the drinking water supplies in Rosebery. It is most unusual to see so many senior level positions in a mining company become vacant in such a short period. Needless to say not everyone in Rosebery is happy about the latest discovery of lead in the drinking water supplies. Some people think that exposed reservoirs open to mining dust that CMW use to supply drinking water in a town that sits on top of a lead mine is ‘normal’: Full MR HERE
• Grange Resources closes Perth office as MD leaves … and moves HQ to Burnie
• Save the Tarkine lodges appeal against flawed Riley Creek Mine approval
• Advocate: Royalties deferral key in Grange move THE state government will defer royalties worth $500,000 over the next three years for Grange Resources. Deputy Premier Bryan Green revealed the deferral yesterday in a press release about Grange Resources’ decision to move its head office from Perth to Burnie. Mr Green said the government’s royalties decision “was a key factor in securing the move”. “This is a decision we didn’t have to think twice about.