QRC criticises new state mining law

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has criticised the Mineral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (MOLA), which was passed by the state parliament on 24 May.

The legislation reinstates community objection rights around large-scale mining projects that were removed under the previous state government. Restoration of those rights formed a part of the ruling Labor Party’s election pledges in last year’s state elections.

“We agree the community should have an avenue for their concerns to be heard about mining projects,” said QRC Chief Executive, Michael Roche. “However, this should not equate to multiple years in the Land Court spent frustrating and delaying what it supports to be an administrative process only.”

Roche added that there were already multiple pathways available to object to a project. “QRC maintains that an objection right under the mining legislation is an unnecessary double-up of the environmental object under environmental legislation in Queensland,” Roche said.

The QRC has been consistently critical of the length of time it takes to receive a mine permit in the state with environmental campaigners able to hold up permitting activities with repeated legal challenges.

“The government must act to protect future investment in the resources sector for all Queenslanders as we are at a crossroads where every new project could be held up in court for several years,” Roche said.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/24052016/qrc-criticises-new-state-mining-law-2016-833/