Queensland deputy premier used a visit to Mount Isa to defend a controversial mining rehabilitation bill currently before parliament.
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The bill introduces stricter rules to make mining companies clean up their mines and ensure land disturbed by mining activities was rehabilitated to sustain approved post-mining land use.
Miners would have to pay, according to risk, into a pool of funds that would be used to rehabilitate the land.
Jackie Trad said the Bill was an election commitment and would create job opportunities in rehabilitation.
“This bill is ensuring there is a balance between a strong and thriving resource sector and ensuring there is a pool of funds and world class standard around rehabilitation,” Ms Trad said.
However federal minister for Resources and minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the bill’s requirement for mining companies to rehabilitate following closure of mines were too onerous.
“There are good things in the bill and it is important we get best practice for rehabilitation and many miners around the country already do that,” Senator Canavan said. “The concern is though some parts of the bill go way too far.”
As an example Senator Canavan said open mines would have have to fill in their entire void.
“This is almost impossible because you take ore out and you can put it back to the level it was before,” he said.
At last week’s annual general meeting of the Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone in Mount Isa olast week members were advised on the how the bill could impact on the mining industry in the North West.
Re-elected MITEZ President, David Glasson said any move to enforce legislation retrospectively was like changing the rules in the middle of the game as companies have made investment decisions based on current scenarios in an environment where input costs have increased significantly.
“A new layer of costs may push some businesses over the edge and deter others from future investment which would in turn impact on profitability, jobs and limit and flexibility for mines to operate within their existing mining licenses,” Mr Glasson said. “MITEZ supports comments by the Queensland Resources Council saying the government promised there are no retrospective elements to the new laws and that stable regulation is essential if we are to have in investment environment that will attract business and industry.”
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