The NT Government should refuse to assess a resubmitted mining proposal from McArthur River Mining (MRM) that involves diverting the McArthur River, says the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (ECNT).

ECNT’s Freshwater Campaigner Dr Gary Scott said: “The proposed diversion of this major tropical river is unacceptable on ecological and cultural grounds. Approval of the river diversion would set a terrible precedent for the treatment of northern Australia’s unique and relatively intact tropical rivers.

“The risks of river bank erosion, downstream sedimentation and the diversion channel creating a long-term barrier for aquatic species, including the endangered Freshwater sawfish, are just too great.

“Any resubmitted mining proposal, not involving river diversion, should be assessed at the highest level: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

“The separate application lodged today by MRM for an extension to its existing test pit should also be subjected to assessment by the NT Environment Protection Agency, with a statutory public comment period.

“MRM’s current mining authorisation from the NT Government allows for a 6 hectare test pit. Any extension beyond this can not in truth be called a ‘test pit’.

“It would be a fully-fledged open cut mining operation that would impinge on the nine outstanding areas of environmental concern identified last month by NT Mines Minister Kon Vatskalis”, concluded Dr Scott.