SACOME's Environmental Open Day 2012
SACOME held its inaugural Environmental Open Day on Tuesday 14 August 2012 as part of National Science Week. This was the first event of its kind to be coordinated by SACOME and reflects both the growth in the South Australian resources sector and the subsequent importance of environmentally sustainable operations. The Hon. Paul Caica, Minister for Sustainability, Environment & Conservation officially opened the event and spoke about the economic importance of our extractive industries and their associated environmental responsibilities. SACOME Chief Executive Jason Kuchel expanded on Minister Caica’s sentiments citing a recent story of an exploration company operating in South Australia that effectively rehabilitated their drill pads, serving as an example of exemplary environmental performance in the State's resources sector.
Approximately 270 registered guests and a number of walk ins attended the event at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Guests heard from industry experts about onsite water management (Arrium Mining, OZ Minerals), dust suppression (Penrice Soda Products), vegetation restoration and enhancement (EBS Ecology, Rural Solutions), geothermal energy (Petratherm), integrating sustainability into business models (Beach Energy, Santos), managing social and environmental considerations associated with a mining operation (Hillgrove Resources), and a variety of services offered to the resources industry such as native vegetation offsets, rehabilitation and planning, wildlife and flora management (Arid Recovery, Nature Foundation of SA). Participating companies also occupied stalls throughout the day, where guests could further discuss the topics covered as well as get their hands on a variety of goodies! The fourth and final session took a slightly different flavour, providing guests with a better understanding of nuclear energy, its role as a zero carbon base load energy option (Think Climate Consulting), the significantly low-impact in situ recovery process for uranium extraction at the Beverly mine (Heathgate Resources) and information about radiation, its properties and effects on human health (Environmental Protection Authority).
Between the four sessions, event sponsor Beach Energy captivated guests with a live reptile display that included an Albino Darwin Carpet Python, Womma Python and a variety of smaller reptiles found within the Cooper Basin. In addition to coordinating the event, SACOME also occupied a stall with the assistance of graduates from Coffey Environments and Parsons Brinkerhoff to discuss the range of careers and pathways into jobs in sustainability.
The general feeling on the day was that the guests enjoyed themselves while learning a great deal in the process. One year 8 student from Loreto College described the event as “...amazing...really interesting”. Plans are already underway for the 2013 SACOME Environmental Open Day. SACOME would also like to thank session sponsors Arrium Mining, EBS Ecology and OZ Minerals; and special event sponsor Beach Energy.
Presentations from the day are available here:
Environment Protection Authority
Natural Resources Management Act 2004
The object of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 is to assist in the achievement of ecologically sustainable development in SA by establishing an integrated scheme to promote the use, management and protection of natural resources.
The Acts objectives specifically highlight the importance of mining as of economic value to state; recognising the industry as a legitimate user of land and water. As a user, the resources industry is an important partner in NRM and clearly understands its responsibility to contribute to the management and protection of natural resources. Through NRM industry contributes significant social and economic capital to progress good environmental outcomes. This contribution is in addition to the strong environmental compliance required through the mining approvals process.
SACOME is working with government and the NRM Boards where our members operate to progress industry engagement in NRM and inform industry members on NRM in SA.
SACOME seeks representation on Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Native Vegetation (NV) Councils
In recent years SACOME has had progressively more to do with the NRM council, in line with an objective of the NRM Act to support sustainable resource development in its recognition of the economic value of mining to South Australia.SACOME feels it is appropriate for the SA resources industry to have a voice on the NRM and NV Councils, and has made a number of submissions (below) including to the Minister for Environment and Conservation to amend the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and the Native Vegetation(Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2008 to recognise SACOME as a peak body, giving the chamber equivalent standing as other state peak bodies.
The resources industry is a legitimate land and water user and a key stakeholder in the strategic management of natural resources in South Australia. Accordingly the resources industry should have a voice on the councils.SACOME will continue to lobby for the right to nominate a person for inclusion on the councils.
Native Vegetation
SACOME has advocated for amendments to the native vegetation legislation proposed by the Nature Foundation of SA that would allow resource companies to generate and hold credits for significant environmental benefits in excess of their regulatory requirements for clearance of native vegetation. Under the current legislation this is not available. The scheme would allow companies to use credits for future clearance obligations or trade to other entities required to offset clearances. The Minister for Environment and Conservation has agreed the proposed amendments do have merit and deserve further consideration. It has been referred to the Native Vegetation Council.
Water Management in Mining
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) compiled a selection of case studies to illustrate examples of good water management by mining companies. Presented at the '3rd International Congress on Water Management in the Mining Industry - Water in Mining 2012', in Chile, the publication looks at how the mining industry has developed innovative ways to respond to water challenges in different contexts.
The presentation by ICMM's Gemma James was followed by three representatives from ICMM member companies who discussed three of the case studies in depth, including a presentation from Fiona Wild, Senior Manager Environment and Climate Change, Olympic Dam, BHP Billiton. The presentations explored the particular challenges each of their sites faced with regards to water conditions. They focused on the activities that showcased their solutions as good practice for the industry.
Click here to view the publication, 'Water management in mining: a selection of case studies'.
Water Resources
SACOME fully supports the principles and implementation of the National Water Initiative (NWI) signed by the Commonwealth of Australia and all States and Territories to improve the management of the nation's water resources and provide greater certainty for future investment.
The minerals and energy industry in South Australia recognises the importance of protecting the water resources in South Australia, and supports the implementation of cost effective and sound planning and management of water resources to support social, economic and environmental objectives.
As a major user of water the resources and energy sector is more than willing to pay its share towards effective water resource planning and management.
PIRSA Water for Mining Factsheet - Download PDF
Water Accounting Framework
The Australian minerals industry, in conjunction with the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) of the University of Queensland, has developed the ‘Water Accounting Framework for the Minerals Industry’ to assist companies manage water both as a key asset and as a shared natural resource requiring responsible stewardship. The framework allows for the accounting, reporting and comparison of water management practices in a consistent manner. A consistent approach enables true comparison with other users and integrates mining water requirements within water management planning.
The Water Accounting Framework for the Minerals Industry is available here.
The MCA and SMI are holding workshops in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne on the application of the framework including an overview of the “Input-Output Model” and the application of the “Operational Model”. To view the schedule for the workshops, click here.
SACOME will look to hold a workshop in Adelaide if there is sufficient demand. Contact SACOME to register your interest on 08 8202 9999.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
The Act covers matters of national significance including marine protected areas in Commonwealth waters. SACOME made a submission (see Submissions page) to the independent review of the Act in 2009 and was specifically approached by the Review as part of its targeted consultation following public submissions.
SACOME acknowledges the objectives of the EPBC Act are valid, and supports the ideal of protecting and improving our biodiversity; however the Chamber questions whether the Act really addresses the heart of the decline of biodiversity and provides the right incentives to actively manage and enhance the environment. State legislation in SA is equally limited in approach with a focus around stopping the decline and loss primarily through banning clearance of vegetation. The fragmented nature of Australia’s biodiversity means the environment will continue to decline irrespective of clearance being banned, unless a more strategic, incentive based process is used. State and federal legislation has to date failed to make biodiversity an asset, rather than a liability, and develop real incentives to actively management and improve of our natural resource environment.
The final report from the review recognised the need to increase the focus on strategic approaches to environmental management, making 71 recommendations including the complete restructuring of the Act to achieve this outcome.
The report also gave merit to the recommendation by SACOME that better clarity around the scope of the matter of national environmental significance relating to nuclear action was required and should be explored further by the Australian Government.