Department of Primary Industry and Resources
The Department of Primary Industry and Resources (DPIR) has signed a variation to the authorisation which establishes the conditions for OM Holdings to recommence some in-pit mining at Bootu Creek.
In-pit mining can recommence under strict conditions in a staged approach and will exclude the Tourag Pit in which a fatal wall failure occurred in August this year.
The conditions include an independent engineer to review the design and construction of the pit works as well as the installation of real time monitoring equipment. It is also a requirement that should NT WorkSafe identify any safety issues, DPIR will be notified.
DPIR Chief Executive Alister Trier said the decision to authorise was not made lightly.
"The authorisation has undergone a stringent and thorough process in consultation with NT WorkSafe before satisfying the requirements needed for this work to recommence," Mr Trier said.
"Part of this decision-making process included the consideration of current employees at Bootu Creek and their need for certainty regarding their employment, however the safety of employees is of utmost importance and a rigorous process before allowing the recommencement of in-pit works was vital."
The fatal incident that occurred at Bootu Creek in August remains under investigation by the Northern Territory Coroner and as such, DPIR is unable to comment further.
