Save the Tarkine has lodged an application in the Supreme Court seeking the release of documents pertaining to changes made to the environmental approval conditions for the Shree Minerals’ Nelson Bay River Mine in the Tarkine.
The EPA has granted permission to Shree Mineral’s to store acid producing waste rock above ground, in contravention of the original conditions, and against the advice given in the original assessment reports.
The EPA’s Environmental Assessment Report indicated (after apparently rigorous consideration) that there was “no suitable location on the site for above ground storage” and “To manage the risk of Acid Mine Drainage during the operation of the mine and into the long-term, post closure, all PAF material must be stored in the DSO Pit, since this is considered to be the only secure, long-term storage option.”
Despite this, the EPA Director subsequently revised the conditions to allow for above ground storage, after Shree Minerals disclosed higher levels of acid producing waste than originally submitted in the environmental assessment documents.
The EPA has refused to provide Save the Tarkine with a statement of reasons for this decision, or a copy of the supporting materials which explain the new storage proposal.
“Save the Tarkine has legitimate concerns regarding the changes to the storage arrangement and is seeking this information to determine potential water quality impacts, impacts on threatened orchid communities, and whether the Director’s decision exceeds his power,” said Campaign Coordinator Scott Jordan.
“It should alarm Tasmanians that after being serenaded with the tune that these mines will be ‘world’s best practise’, what we see is an instant watering down of environmental controls and secret dealings between Shree Minerals and the Director of the EPA.”
The matter will be heard on March 4th.
