NT Indigenous Groups Plan to Link New Mines to Rehabilitation Guarantees
Northern Territory traditional owners threaten to mandate mining rehabilitation bonds before granting approval, citing a gap between current security levels and estimated clean-up costs of $108 million to $1.1 billion.
The Northern Land Council is directing Indigenous traditional owners to negotiate rehabilitation guarantees as a condition for permitting new mines. This follows the collapse of Nathan River Resources, where the Territory government holds a $6.2 million bond despite estimated restoration costs ranging between $108 million and $1.1 billion. Yuseph Deen, chief executive of the Northern Land Council, described the existing security as grossly inadequate for cleaning up abandoned sites. He noted that most abandoned projects occupy Aboriginal estates, leaving landowners to face significant economic and cultural losses when companies enter receivership with debts reaching $360 million. Traditional owners are now seeking to ensure funds are secured before operations begin.
