The Finocchiaro CLP Government has finalised a significant and timely six-month program to remediate legacy mine sites in Tennant Creek, with further works set to commence in Alice Springs later this year.
The $5.5 million program was undertaken as part of the Department of Mining and Energy's Legacy Mines Small Mines Safety Program, which addresses public safety risks from historical mine sites while creating valuable employment and economic benefits for regional Territorians.
Minister for Mining and Energy, Gerard Maley, said the CLP Government was committed to ensuring legacy mine sites are remediated to protect communities and support regional economies.
"Mining has been an integral part of the Northern Territory's history for more than 150 years, but historical mining activities have left behind a range of legacy features such as open shafts, degraded infrastructure, tailings dams, and waste rock dumps," said Mr Maley.
"The safety program we've delivered in Tennant Creek is addressing these risks by remediating over 260 legacy mine features, keeping the public safe and providing significant local employment opportunities for Territorians.
"This is about delivering on-the-ground results for regional and remote areas, with real benefits for local communities."
The Tennant Creek safety works were delivered by DAC Enterprises, including backfilling of 182 mine voids, installing 27 shaft covers and 35 adit covers, and fencing and signposting 16 mine voids.
"The Territory's Legacy Mines Small Mines Safety Program is providing a steady pipeline of works that not only improves public safety but also creates jobs in our regions," said Mr Maley.
DAC Enterprises utilised 19 local businesses in Tennant Creek throughout the program, created six new jobs, and employed four Aboriginal workers. For a regional town with a population of just over 3,000, this is a significant economic boost. The Tennant Creek project highlights how legacy mine remediation can provide regional economic stimulus, with similar opportunities expected in other parts of the Northern Territory as the program continues.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Member for Barkly, Steve Edgington, said: "This program has been a real boost for Tennant Creek, not just in terms of safety but also in creating local jobs and supporting businesses. It's great to see the CLP government prioritising regional towns like ours and delivering projects that make a tangible difference."
"The work done through the legacy mine program shows how investment in regional communities can pay off. These jobs and business opportunities are essential for Tennant Creek and the Barkly region, and I look forward to seeing more of these projects roll out across the Territory," said Mr Edgington.
Planning is now underway for the next phase of remediation works in Alice Springs and Pine Creek, with a tender for small mines safety works around Alice Springs to be released in the coming months.
The next phase of the program will see further legacy mine sites remediated in Alice Springs and Pine Creek, with works progressing for legacy mine audits in the Katherine and Darwin regions as well.
The delivery of remediation projects is funded through an annual 1% levy paid by mining companies operating in the NT on their securities.
This is paid into the Mining Remediation Fund (MRF). The MRF holds funds in trust to address environmental harm and public safety risks caused by legacy mines.
