New laws support rehabilitation as an integral part of responsible mining

MCA Victoria welcomes the passage of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment Bill 2019 which supports robust rehabilitation requirements to meet community expectations.

The legislation establishes the Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority to monitor, maintain and manage ‘declared’ mine land.  It also clarifies rehabilitation, closure and post-closure obligations.

The legislation helps clarify the mine closure process and management of ‘declared’ mine land to protect public safety, the environment and infrastructure.

MCA Victoria supports in principle the establishment of a Post-Closure Fund to meet the ongoing costs of managing declared mine land and allow mines to safely and responsibly relinquish land. MCA Victoria looks forward to working with government on the details of developing post closure bonds.

Land rehabilitation is fundamental to responsible modern mining.

Victoria’s minerals industry recognises its responsibility as a temporary custodian of land, and seeks to ensure that mine land can support future economic, conservation and community activities as appropriate for a particular area.

Mining’s approach to mined land rehabilitation has improved significantly and the industry continues to improve rehabilitation methods and research, including through progressive rehabilitation.

The Bill supports a framework for leading practice mine rehabilitation, closure planning and regulation.

Much of the detail will be reliant on the regulations and guidance material to be drafted following passage of this bill.  Victoria’s minerals industry will play a constructive role to develop effective and efficient materials

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