T
o deliver on this strategy,
the framework proposed by
Queensland’s new Mined Land
Rehabilitation Policy includes
a requirement for all large mines in
Queensland to develop a Progressive
Rehabilitation and Closure Plan.
h is will include new mines, as part of
their site-specii c environmental authority
application process. Existing mines will be
transitioned into the framework.
h e PRC Plan is designed to ensure
mines are planned to enhance progressive
rehabilitation rates by including clear
milestones with set delivery dates.
Progress towards milestones will be
regularly monitored through annual reporting
on past performance and a 3-yearly audit to
assess current and future performance.
“Public accountability is a key policy
objective of the reforms and will be included
in the PRC Plan framework by ensuring
community engagement and consultation
occurs throughout the life of a mine,” the
Queensland Departement of Environment
and Heritage Protection said.
“h e policy was i nalised following
consultation with industry, community and
environmental stakeholders who provided
feedback on the Better Mine Rehabilitation
for Queensland discussion paper.”
h e department has started planning for
implementation of the reforms, which will be
delivered through legislative amendments to
the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and
development of supporting material such as
guidelines.
Land disturbed by mining activities
will be rehabilitated progressively as it
becomes available, to minimise the risks
of environmental impacts and reduce
cumulative areas of disturbed land.
h e progress and outcomes of progressive
rehabilitation activities will be monitored
and reported on to demonstrate how
successful they have been in achieving
progress towards the approved post-mining
landform, and to inform corrective actionwhere required. To provide certainty about
the outcomes and timing of rehabilitation,
all site-specii c mines will prepare a PRCP.
h e plan will include binding, time-
based milestones for actions that achieve
progressive rehabilitation and will ultimately
support the transition to the mine site’s
future use.
Disturbed land associated with mining
activities is considered available for
rehabilitation unless it is being actively
mined, being used for operating mining
infrastructure, overlaying a probable or
proven resource reserve identii ed for
extraction in the approved PRCP within 10
years, or the site of built infrastructure that
will be retained as a benei cial asset in the
approved PRCP.
Land disturbed by mining activities is
considered to be rehabilitated when it can
be demonstrated it is safe, stable, does not
cause environmental harm, and is able to
sustain the post-mining land use approved
in the PRCP.Queensland revamps
rehab strategy
The Queensland government has formulated its plan for ensuring land disturbed by
mining activities is rehabilitated to a safe and stable landform that does not cause
environmental harm and is able to sustain an approved post-mining land use.
32 AMM December 2017 http://www.miningmonthly.com
COAL OPEN
http://www.internationalcoalnews.comAll large mines in Queensland will
be required to develop a Progressive
Rehabilitation and Closure Plan.