GENERAL INFORMATION
All land development, including any resulting from resource industry activities, must comply with the established statutory acts, regulations, polices and guidelines enforced by all levels of the Australian Government statutes.
Every level of government including Commonwealth, State and Local, has a set of assessment criteria and minimum approval conditions, with a rigorous approval process based on historical, scientific, and technical data from across the sector.
Stringent scientific standards define how studies must inform an environmental impact assessment and management plan specific to the project. Commonwealth and State government agencies assess the adequacy of the environmental impact conditions of approval for operation and for environmental rehabilitation on completion.
During the assessment, the project backers must demonstrate that the proposed project meets all scientific and technical criteria required to achieve a sound operational and environmental performance. There is a strong emphasis on ensuring projects fit into the region’s natural habitat and manage environmental outcomes effectively.
SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL PROCESSES FOR THE GEMINI PROJECT
Construction activities and major land disturbance for the Gemini Project will not commence until both the Mining Lease has been granted and the Environmental Authority and Rehabilitation Bond have been lodged.
The bond is designed to protect the community should the project fail before rehabilitation has occurred.
APPLICATION FOR MINING LEASE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORITY
An application was submitted to the Federal Environment Department for determination under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act for the potential of adverse environmental impacts, which would result in the project being declared a ‘Controlled Action’.
The finding of the application was that the Gemini Project is not a 'Controlled Action’. It is assessed as an Application for an Environmental Authority (EA).
WHAT DOES THE MINING LEASE APPLICATION INCLUDE?
The Gemini Project Mining Lease application describes in detail the following key areas:
Project operation
Project land
Relationship with other resource tenures and landholders
Project benefits
APPLICATION FOR MINING LEASE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORITY
The Gemini Project Environmental Application describes in detail the following key areas:
Project impacts on the environment
Mitigation proposals of adverse impacts
Final landform
Environmental management conditions