McArthur River Mine independent expert panels
McArthur River Mine is an open pit zinc, lead and silver mining operation in the Northern Territory (NT), located approximately 700km south-east of Darwin near the township of Borroloola.
McArthur River Mining Pty Ltd (MRM) is the authorised operator of McArthur River Mine, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glencore Plc.
The NT Government has been working to ensure MRM meets its environmental obligations under the Mining Management Act 2001.
A key aspect includes the identification of chairpersons for independent expert panels for McArthur River Mine for appointment by the Minister for Mining.
Three panels are to be established to provide technical reviews to the regulator of McArthur River Mine with a focus on the operation of the North Overburden Emplacement Facility (NOEF), Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and the progress being made with respect to finalisation of plans to achieve closure of the mine.
The findings of the independent expert panels will be released sequentially on a rolling 3 year cycle. The first report by the NOEF Panel is expected to be prepared during 2024, the second by the TSF Panel in 2025 and the third by the Mine Closure Panel in 2026.
The relationships between the expert panels and various parties relative to regulatory requirements is depicted below.
Terms of reference for the three independent expert panels have been approved by the Minister for Mining. The terms of reference were developed in consultation with the operator and the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security; and have been endorsed by the Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Security and the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority.
It is anticipated that the names and specialist expertise of the chairpersons and members of the panels will be made public.
Establishment of the expert panels - expressions of interest
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is seeking expressions of interest on behalf of the Minister for Mining from suitably qualified and recognised technical experts to fulfil the role of Independent Chairperson for the independent panel of experts for Mine Closure.
The Minster for Mining has appointed Dr Alan Robertson as the Independent Chairperson for the NOEF and TSF panels. Details of panel members and their expertise will be made public once the panels have been established.
Once appointed by the Minister, the Independent Chairperson works directly with the department and MRM to deliver against the terms of reference of the respective Independent Panels of Experts.
Submission of expressions of interest
Written submissions nominating as independent chairperson should be emailed to Andria Handley, Director Mining Operations Policy and Support at andria.handley@nt.gov.au addressing the selection criteria and stating their specialist expertise, and providing relevant qualifications.
The Independent Chairperson will be appointed by the Minister following consideration of individual submissions by a panel comprising of representatives from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade and Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, and in consideration of comments from MRM.
Nominations for Independent Chairperson for the Mine Closure Panel close at midnight on 21 April 2024.
Mine Closure Panel
The purpose of the Mine Closure Panel is to provide the Minister for Mining and Industry with robust, independent technical advice regarding progress made by the operator in relation to planning for the closure of McArthur River Mine and related management.
To achieve this purpose, the Mine Closure Panel will undertake a technical review once every 3 to 5 years focused on the:
- development of closure and care and maintenance strategies for mine site domains, and the trajectory towards achieving agreed closure objectives, and
- the risk of potential catastrophic failure of the mine levee wall and the McArthur River diversion channel in view of future closure objectives.
Information from the panel
Read the terms of reference and the selection criteria before submitting your nomination.
North Overburden Emplacement Facility Panel
The purpose of the North Overburden Emplacement Facility (NOEF) Panel is to provide the Minister for Mining and Industry with robust, independent technical advice regarding the effectiveness of NOEF management to achieve secure storage of waste rock so as to protect the health of the McArthur River from mine related impacts.
To achieve this purpose, the NOEF Panel will undertake a triennial technical review (once every 3 years) focused on the:
- outcomes of the NOEF management program
- NOEF seepage monitoring results and the appropriateness of the monitoring program, and
- construction quality records, critical controls, stability assessments
- cover trial results, cover performance
- performance of progressive rehabilitation of the NOEF.
In January 2024, Dr Alan Robertson was appointed by the Minister for Mining as the Independent Chairperson for the NOEF Panel.
The membership of the NOEF Panel is under consideration.
Read the terms of reference PDF (800.4 KB)
Tailings Storage Facility Panel
The purpose of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Panel is to provide the Minister for Mining and Industry with robust, independent technical advice regarding the effectiveness of TSF management to achieve secure storage of tailings so as to protect the health of the McArthur River from mine related impacts.
To achieve this purpose, the TSF Panel will undertake a triennial technical review (once every 3 years) focused on the:
- outcomes of the operator’s approved management program for the TSF, and
- seepage monitoring results and the appropriateness of the seepage system with respect to abating environmental risks to the McArthur River.
In January 2024, Dr Alan Robertson was appointed by the Minister for Mining as the Independent Chairperson for the TSF Panel.
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