Environment - Environmental Impact StatementThe Mt Todd Gold Mine project is subject to assessment under both Northern Territory and Commonwealth legislation.
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA) has assessed the project under the NT Environmental Assessment Act 1982 through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Federal Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) has declared the project to be a controlled action requiring assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth); this was also undertaken by the NTEPA EIS process. Vista Gold submitted the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mt Todd Gold Project in June 2013. The document was prepared by independent consultants GHD Pty Ltd to identify potential environmental, social, transport, cultural and economic impacts associated with reopening and operating the Mt Todd Gold Mine. The EIS is based on many comprehensive investigations, including:
EIS Assessment
The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority released its final assessment report for the Mt Todd Gold Mine project in June 2014. A copy of the Report and Appendices is included below. The Report concluded that the Project can proceed, subject to a number of specific safeguards which are outlined in the Assessment Report. The Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority released its final assessment report for the Mt Todd Gold Mine project in June 2014.
A copy of the Report and Appendices is included below. The Report concluded that the Project can proceed, subject to a number of specific safeguards which are outlined in the Assessment Report. EPA Letter to Vista Gold re Assessment Report 76 (1Mb) Mt Todd Gold Project Assessment Report 76 (1.9Mb) Assessment Report - Appendix B (900Kb) Assessment Report - Appendix C (1Mb) EIS Consultation
The Environmental Impact Statement was based on comprehensive consultation with stakeholders and communities including: • Discussions with representatives from Northern Territory Government Departments and local government. • Discussions with a wide range of representatives from community, non-government groups and key organisations. • Information sessions at the Katherine Show, Pine Creek, the Katherine Shopping Centre and with the Katherine Chamber of Commerce where members of the Project team talked to the community and conducted a community perception survey on issues relevant to the project. The purpose of the consultation was to seek a representation of community views on the project and to gain an appreciation of issues, concerns and suggestions they may have for the project. A majority of people consulted indicated support for the project on the basis of the potential local and regional economic benefits. Key topics of interest identified by the community included: • local and regional employment opportunities • environmental management and protection • appropriate planning for additional housing and associated infrastructure to support the operational workforce The Draft EIS was available for public comment and on display until 12 August 2013. Draft Environmental Impact Statement documents Executive Summary (1.2MB) Volume 1: Draft Environmental Impact Statement Introduction (1.54MB) Project Description (12 Mb) Project Alternatives ( 251 Kb) Legislative Framework (145 Kb) Environmental Risk Assessment (648 Kb) Stakeholder Engagement (137 Kb) Social Impact Assessment (956 Kb) Climate Change and Sustainability (155 Kb) Land (1.78 Mb) Surface Water (3.71 MB) Hydrogeology (2.41 MB) Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (955 Kb) Flora and Vegetation (661 Kb) Fauna (950 Kb) Heritage (1.36 Mb) Air Quality (1.61 Mb) Noise and Vibration (813 Kb) Traffic and Transport (434 Kb) Economics (194 Kb) Greenhouse Gas Emissions (143 Kb) Waste Management (122 Kb) Matters of National Environmental Significance (147 Kb) Environmental Management and Commitments (136 Kb) Closure and Rehabilitation (529 Kb) References (150 Kb) Volume 2: Appendices A-J (10.53 Mb) EIS Team NT Guidelines for Preparation of a Draft EIS EPBC Determination Letter Cross reference of EIS Guidelines Public Consultation Report Social Impact Assessment Climate Change Report Sustainability Report Surface Water – Hydrology Report Surface Water Monitoring Program Volume 3: Appendix K (42.58 Mb) Hydrogeology Report Volume 4: Appendices L-M (12.75 Mb) Geochemistry Report Flora and Vegetation Report Volume 5: Appendices N-R (21.56 Mb) Fauna Impact Assessment Aquatic Fauna Report Baseline Biting Insect Assessment Archaeological and Heritage Assessment Cultural Heritage Management Plan Volume 6: Appendices S-Z (21.46 Mb) Jawoyn Ecological Knowledge Report Air Quality Assessment Noise and Vibration Assessment Traffic and Transport Impact Assessment Economics Report Greenhouse Gas Report Reclamation Plan EMP Framework Abbreviations (130 Kb) Supplement to the Environment Impact Statement EIS Supplement Response sorted by Proponent (PDF 1.2MB) EIS Supplement Response sorted by Topic (PDF 1.2MB) Attachment A: Waste Rock Dump Flux Chart (PDF 488 KB) Attachment B: Waste Rock Dump Design Drainage Evaluation (PDF 1.2MB) Attachment C: Comparison Table Between CDA (2007) and ANCOLD (2012) Guidelines (PDF 75KB) Attachment D: Mt Todd Goldsim Water Balance Model - An Introduction (PDF 164KB) Attachment E: Preliminary Waste Rock Management Plan Evaluation (PDF | 222KB) Attachment F: Preliminary Feasibility Study - Water Treatment Plant (PDF 2.2MB) Attachment G: Fish Passage Requirement (PDF 504KB) Attachment H: Reporting relating to Air Quality assessment (PDF 793KB) Attachment I: Responses relation to Surface Water assessment (PDF 274KB) Attachment J: Revised Regional Vegetation Types between Katherine and Pine Creek (PDF 3.4MB) Attachment K: Gouldian Finch Habitat (PDF 1.6MB) Attachment L: Surface Water Assessment Hydrology (PDF 3.8MB) |