The Earth Resources Regulator is ramping up efforts to ensure operators in Victoria’s minerals and quarry sectors adhere to regulations, following recent instances of non-compliance that have resulted in work stoppages and remedial actions.
A minerals exploration company recently had to halt its activities north of Melbourne due to non-compliance with several licence conditions.
The company failed to meet requirements such as an outstanding rehabilitation bond payment, unregistered landholder compensation agreements, and insufficient technical details, prompting the stoppage of work.
In eastern Victoria, a gravel quarry operator was found to have extracted material outside their approved area, leading to a stop work notice and a requirement to submit a rehabilitation plan for the affected area.
Similarly, a sand quarry operator in western Victoria was cited for inadequate review of their tailings dam, highlighting the critical need for compliance with storage conditions to prevent risks to the surrounding area.
Additionally, a hard rock quarry operator in northern Victoria received a remedial notice to cease extraction that jeopardised the long-term stability of the site.
The operator is now required to reinstate the approved angle of the pit slope to ensure safety.
Resources Victoria CEO Matt Vincent, emphasised the importance of compliance with regulations in the resources sector, noting that operators must meet their obligations to develop and extract the state’s minerals and quarry materials.
“Most operators in the resources sector across the state are working hard, meeting all their obligations and performing to a high standard — the Earth Resources Regulator is focussed on those falling short of this benchmark to ensure their poor practices don’t put the environment, infrastructure and communities at risk.
“Industry will see us continue to promote our increased use of notices to formalise our requirements when we find risks not being managed appropriately or authority holders not complying with their Work Plans, a strong and active regulator reflects well on the broader resources sector,” said Vincent.
The regulator’s increased use of notices to formalise requirements for managing risks and complying with Work Plans reflects its commitment to ensuring operators meet high standards. Vincent reiterated that a strong and active regulator is essential for maintaining the integrity of Victoria’s resources sector.
