|
The New South Wales Department of Mineral Resources is about to embark on a major rehabilitation initiative in the opal mining region of Lightning Ridge.
According to Director General Alan Coutts, from next Tuesday August 20, ten officers from the Department of Mineral Resources will spend a week visiting claims to report and advise on improving environmental aspects of mining.
“They will be divided into teams and over a week will visit around 600 of the opal claims with weekly follow-ups planned for the remainder of the year”.
“The aim of this project is educational rather than punitive. We want to encourage people to co-operate when it comes to the rehabilitation of this historic mining area,” said Mr Coutts.
“Lightning Ridge is an important part of the NSW minerals industry and we need to ensure the best environmental standards for this important mining area”.
Of the 6500 claims in Lightning Ridge 600 of these are worked by 750 people on any one day.
“DMR environmental staff will examine disposal of mullock or dirt, from the mining operations, disposal of rubbish, noxious weed growth, regeneration of native plants and abandoned cars and trucks on the claims,” said Mr Coutts.
“At each claim, officers will fill out a simple, one page report which will be given to the claim holder with a list of recommended improvements”.
“The other will be retained by the Department to ensure appropriate follow up of recommendations”.
”The Lightning Ridge Miners Association and the Glengarry, Grawin, Sheepyards Miners Association both support this important initiative, which benefits the local community and the environment” said Mr Coutts.
|
