The Environment Centre NT says the decision to give environmental approval to MRM/Xstrata for the diversion of the McArthur River and a massive open cut mine in the river bed is a big mistake and a backward step for the local region and the NT.

ECNT spokesperson Emma King said, “Many major flaws, information gaps and environmental risks were documented in various submissions to the EPA and taken together they showed why the mine could not responsibly be approved.

“There is little difference between this approved plan and the plan that was rejected earlier this year on environmental grounds.

“The minimal changes to the river diversion plan have failed to sufficiently reduce the risk of major erosion and sedimentation impacts.

“Similar concerns continue to exist in relation to acid mine drainage, heavy metal contamination, and the impacts of disturbance and pollution on the 43 species of fish found in the McArthur, including the endangered Freshwater sawfish.

“It appears that the brinkmanship of the mining company – effectively saying that if this plan is rejected it will close its operation - is winning out over scientific, environmental, economic and cultural concerns.

“We believe that if the diversion plan had been rejected again, Xstrata or a new company could have revised the mine plan and found a way to mine without causing such a huge impact on this major tropical river system.

“We are now calling on Mines Minister Vatskalis, and the Chief Minister, to not grant final approval and ensure the McArthur is protected from this kind of degrading project.”