Submitted by
badmant
on Wed, 08/24/2022 - 18:04
General Information
Resolution
49245
Period covered
Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
| Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec | Activities Overview | Description | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other (please specify) | The successful rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine is a priority for the Australian Government. The Supervising Scientist continues to oversee the rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine on behalf of the Australian Government to ensure that rehabilitation will achieve the statutory Environmental Requirements. The Supervising Scientist undertakes a detailed review of each version of the Ranger Mine Closure Plan to ensure it is fit for purpose and meets the statutory requirement for the application of best practical technology. Information on the work of the Supervising Scientist, including the assessment of the Ranger Mine Closure Plan, can be found at www.dcceew.gov.au/science-research/supervising-scientist. The rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine is also being undertaken in close consultation with the Mirarr people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Ranger is located. The Mirarr are represented by the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation and the Northern Land Council, both of which are fully imbedded in the regulatory and approvals processes. |
On-going | Full activity report | |
| Policy influencing/advocacy | • National and NT environment groups attended annual meetings of mine majority owner Rio Tinto (London and Melbourne) and mine operator ERA (Darwin) and formally raised the need for comprehensive rehabilitation - both companies re-committed to a full clean-up program. • The cost estimate for the rehabilitation works has been increased to up to $A 2.2 billion which better reflects the complexity of the works. There is continuing uncertainty around the mechanism ERA/Rio will use to secure the necessary rehabilitation funding. • Legislative amendments to enable ERA to access the Ranger site for required rehabilitation purposes post the current mandated January 2026 cut-off date have advanced and are now subject to Parliamentary review. Aboriginal and environment representatives have welcomed this and long called for a more realistic timeline for the rehabilitation work and related post-closure monitoring. • Operational irregularities, including the unauthorised removal or restricted waste product from the Ranger site, highlight the need for continuing scrutiny and robust regulatory oversight. |
On-going | Full activity report |
Actors involved from Activity Reports
| IUCN Members | IUCN Commissions | IUCN Secretariat | Other non-IUCN related organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Report status
Published
I. IUCN Constituencies implementing this Resolution
IUCN Members
Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water ( Australia )
IUCN Commissions
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2021-2025
IUCN Secretariat
Yes
Other non-IUCN related organisations
Mining company, Traditional Owners (Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation), other relevant regulators in Australia
II. Implementation
Activities carried out to implement this Resolution
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Field activities
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the activities
This is a recommendation and the responsibilities to act and report on it are primarily with the Australian Government. Please see the submitted report from Australia regarding statement of progress, and commentary from one IUCN CSO member.
IUCN Secretariat continues to monitor Kakadu as a WH site, including on this issue, and we have also maintained occasional contact with the relevant regulators to consider this issue.
IUCN Secretariat continues to monitor Kakadu as a WH site, including on this issue, and we have also maintained occasional contact with the relevant regulators to consider this issue.
Challenges/obstacles encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and measures taken
See reports submitted online.
Future actions / activities needed for the implementation of this Resolution
A programme to be continued, developed and implemented by Australia, with relevant stakeholders, and reported appropriately to the WH Committee. IUCN can assist on WH matters, and as and if requested by Australia.
Are these actions/activities planned?
Yes
III. Status of implementation
Implementation status of this Resolution
Initiated: first stages of implementation