ABOUT

Communities around Victoria became aware of a rash of exploratory mining applications and exploratory drilling (primarily for gold) from mid-2020.

Primary concerns are the ineffectiveness of mining regulation, ineffective regulation of environmental/community health & safety and very little rehabilitation once a mine closes.

These communities connected and ARMR was formed – The Alliance for Responsible Mining Regulation.

ARMR is comprised of Victorian Communities, mining activists, current/former mining employees and environmental groups.

enquiries@ARMRvic.com

The Alliance for Responsible Mining Regulation
10-Point Plan to Bring Victoria’s Mining Regulations In Line With World’s Best Practice.

1. Where conflicts occur over approvals and licensing, mining regulation and related authorities, including ERR, DHHS, EPA and DELWP, must prioritise community and environmental health, and the protection of existing local economies, over resources development.

2. The Minerals Resource and Sustainable Development Act and Regulations to be amended to require a social, economic and environmental impact analysis to assess an area’s suitability for mining before an Exploration Licence is granted. Farmers to be given veto over exploration licences.

3. Effects of climate change on water availability be factored into all EESs with security of potable water for human consumption, agricultural/horticultural industries and environment flows into the future taking priority over water for mining.

4. The Environment Effects Act and EES process must be modernised in line with recommendations of the VAGO inquiry and in line with best practice in other states and territories. Penalties to apply for intentionally misleading decision-makers and local government and communities should be fully funded to facilitate their responses, including the acquisition of scientific and technical expertise and relevant legal fees.

5. All mining project proposals to model the impacts of climate change and to include Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Reduction in emissions from mining companies must be included in the Victorian Climate Change Strategy.

6. All Workplans are to be made publicly available and all proposed Variations to Workplans will require a supplementary Environment Effects Statement with an opportunity for meaningful public consultation.

7. Victoria to implement the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management. New upstream tailings dams must be banned, and there must be an immediate moratorium on modification of existing tailing facilities. Independent auditing, including dam wall failure assessment, of tailings facilities must be conducted. Downstream community emergency plans must be developed in consultation with communities and emergency responders, be formally approved and made publicly available.

8. Rehabilitation bonds to be set to reflect the point of maximum disturbance and post closure management. Rehabilitation must be ongoing and not left till mining ends. Bank guarantees must be real, redeemable and covered by collateral. Bonds must be held by an independent organisation with zero cost to taxpayers. Bonds to be redeemed by the State if mines have been left in Care and Maintenance for three years.

9. The MRSD Act to require full, adequate and fair compensation for directly and indirectly affected and neighbouring landowners, including for loss of opportunity and amenity and impacts on lifestyle, physical and mental health. Mining companies to pay the full costs of wear and tear on State and Local Roads and for accelerated depreciation of local infrastructure including waste disposal facilities. Fees and royalties to be raised to same levels as other states and redistributed fairly to local inhabitants and municipalities that bear the significant external cost associated with mining.

10. To protect worker, community and environmental health, monitoring and reporting (including air quality, noise, emissions and water) must meet world’s best practice standards including at frequencies and sensitivities to permit timely and meaningful responses. Monitoring required is to be determined by independent experts in consultation with communities and relevant agencies and authorities and reports are to be made immediately publicly available. Failure to comply with monitoring, reporting and response requirements to carry deterrent penalties.