NT ban to bite
9th Mar 2012
DARWIN, Mar 9 – Mining companies operating in Australia’s Northern Territory are struggling to come to terms with the sudden announcement of a three-year ban on seabed mining in coastal waters.
NT Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis announced the moratorium on March 6, saying no exploration applications or applications for mining of bulk materials in coastal waters will be granted until 2015 while the Environment Protection Authority undertakes a comprehensive assessment on the potential impacts of such activities.
The government announcement specifically exempts petroleum exploration and production and port development from the moratorium.
Explorer Northern Manganese says the lack of detail in the government announcement has left it in doubt over its existing exploration rights over 1723sq.km of shallow marine terrain and two islands near Groote Eylandt in the NT.
The company says it has not received formal advice whether the moratorium will extend to non-invasive exploration programs such as its planned acoustic survey, for which it has received Australian government approvals.
Chairman Doug Daws says Northern Manganese has sought legal advice on whether the moratorium applies to granted exploration licences and what means are available to challenge the decision.
The moratorium has also been attacked by the NT Opposition as an over-reaction by the government to Northern Manganese’s planned exploration off Groote Eylandt.
Deputy leader Kezia Purick says government ministers have been travelling the world telling mining companies the NT is open for business. “The blanket ban sends out a very strong signal to the national and international business community that the Henderson Government will put politics ahead of process.”
Purick says existing environmental protections allow exploration applications to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
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