Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
The Supervising Scientist provides oversight of the regulation of uranium mining and exploration activities in the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR). This oversight includes:
- The assessment of mining and rehabilitation plans, reports and applications made under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Act 2019.
- Site inspections and environmental audits of active and rehabilitated mining and exploration sites throughout the ARR, including the Ranger mine.
- The investigation of mining related environmental incidents within the ARR.
- Participation in stakeholder consultative forums such as the Mine Site Technical Committees (MTC) and the Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee (ARRAC).
Through these oversight activities, the Office of the Supervising Scientist (OSS) and other stakeholders are able to ensure that the environment of the ARR remains protected and mining activities remain in compliance with the relevant Environmental requirements (ERs).
Minesite technical committees
Minesite Technical Committees (MTC) have been established for the Ranger, Jabiluka and Nabarlek mineral leases. The MTC meetings provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss technical environmental management matters including oversight activities such as assessments, inspections and audits. The meetings are made up of representatives from OSS, the NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment (DLPE), the Northern Land Council (NLC) and the relevant mining company. Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) represent the Mirarr Traditional Owners on the Ranger and Jabiluka MTCs. Other organisations or experts may be invited as required to assist MTC members.
Environmental audits and mine site inspections
In consultation with the relevant MTC members, OSS develops and implements a program of inspections and environmental audits at Ranger, Jabiluka and Nabarlek. The OSS also participates in inspections and audits of uranium exploration activities in the wider ARR including the West Arnhem region.
Routine Periodic Inspections (RPI) take place monthly at Ranger and twice a year (pre- and post-wet season) at Jabiluka, and are intended to provide a snapshot of environmental management as well as an opportunity for the inspection team to discuss environmental management issues with staff on site. These discussions include any unplanned events or reportable incidents and any associated follow-up actions. The inspection team is made up of representatives from OSS, DLPE and the NLC.
Environmental audits are conducted by a team of qualified audit staff from OSS, DLPE and the NLC. The Ranger audit program is designed to cover all major aspects of environmental management relevant to current activities on site. Outcomes from the environmental audits and RPIs are reported to the wider stakeholder community at routine Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee (ARRAC) meetings and in the Supervising Scientist’s annual technical reports.
Supervising Scientist staff member
Assessment of reports, plans and applications
The primary criteria OSS uses to assess the performance of mining companies and applications for new activities are the Environmental Requirements (ERs). They are prescribed by the Commonwealth for each uranium mine in the ARR and are part of the Commonwealth’s Authorisations issued under section 41 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953. The ERs are also attached to the NT’s Deemed Mining Licences (DMLs) under the NT Environment Protection Act 2019. Prior to the commencement of the NT mining reform on 1 July 2024, the DMLs were Authorisations under the NT Mining Management Act 2001.
OSS’s assessments of the rehabilitation of the Ranger mine includes:
- all statutory reports and plans prescribed in the DML, including the annual Ranger mine closure plan
- applications for major new rehabilitation activities including those identified as requiring Commonwealth ministerial approval
- technical proposals and outcomes of studies that inform future rehabilitation applications.
For other mines and exploration sites in the ARR, OSS assesses plans and reports required under their respective mining licenses such as Mine management plans and mine closure plans.