Mining companies pledge $96K in enforceable undertaking

Two mining companies are set to spend $96,000 on compliance training, audit operations and helping the community as part of an enforceable undertaking, accepted by the NSW Resources Regulator, after they allegedly breached the Mining Act. Total Minerals and Total Iron submitted the enforceable undertaking after the Regulator alleged they had collectively committed 17 offences between 1 December 2017 and 22 November 2018, during the Cangai Copper Project.

The alleged breaches included unauthorised drilling, improper waste disposal and failure to prevent erosion and chemical or fuel spillages, with both companies receiving suspension notices as a result. The companies allegedly contravened the Mining Act by failing to meet conditions of their exploration licenses: 8625 and 8635.

Of the $96,000, $55,000 will go to the Clarence Valley District NSW Rural Fire Service to support their work in bushfire prevention and response, helping the community. The remainder will go toward compliance training for all employees and contractors, an independent audit, development and implementation of revised quality assurance protocols, and repaying costs incurred by the Regulator during the investigation and while monitoring compliance with the undertaking.

Resources Regulator Acting Director of Compliance Steve Orr said mining authorisations carry strict compliance responsibilities.

“The community expects companies like Total Minerals and Total Iron to be aware of their legal and environmental obligations and have appropriate systems in place to ensure compliance,” Orr said. “The terms of the undertaking deliver tangible benefits to the community and the environment whilst ensuring the companies improve their compliance systems.”

The companies have already spent around $300,000 on steps to rehabilitate the affected sites to mitigate any environmental harm caused by the unapproved activities.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Michael Evans