WCC 2020 Res 106 - Activity Report

• 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.