PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Victorian government has launched a Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority and the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy (LVRRS) to steer the rehabilitation of the Latrobe Valley’s brown coal mines.
Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes said the new body would ensure locals continued to be informed and involved in mine rehabilitation, and would oversee the implementation of the LVRRS and contribute to safe, stable and sustainable rehabilitation solutions.
“It’s important that the community is involved in planning for the rehabilitation of Latrobe Valley’s coal mines and has confidence in the process – I expect the Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority will deliver this,” Symes said.
The new authority will be based at the Latrobe Valley GovHub and be part of the 300-strong workforce residing at the new site when completed later this year. The Authority replaces the Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner from June 30.
The LVRRS provides a blueprint to progress planning for rehabilitation of the region’s coal mines, based on learnings from geotechnical and water studies. It sets out actions to address issues around mine safety and stability, providing mine licensees with further clarity on the available rehabilitation options.
Symes said that rehabilitation planning must consider a drying climate and alternative options to relying only on water from the Latrobe River system, protecting existing water entitlement rights of existing users including farmers, communities and the environment.
The strategy has been informed by extensive engagement with the community, stakeholders and the Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Advisory Committee over four years.