Since the closure of the former Mount Morgan Mine the population of the Mount Morgan has declined (GreenGold, 2021). With few employment opportunities, many residents commute to employment in Rockhampton and elsewhere within the surrounding region (GreenGold, 2021). There is significant public interest in this project becoming viable as it will provide employment opportunities whilst remediating legacy environmental impacts that currently preclude recreational and tourism values. Community environmental values have been affected by releases of ARD from the Mount Morgan Mine attributed to prior mining activities. Primary producers downstream of the Mount Morgan Mine have been adversely affected by poor water quality within the Dee River. 7.8.2 Impact Assessment The overall Heritage Minerals Project and these proposed amendments are unlikely to negatively impact on community values, with the proposed activity being consistent with existing land uses and considered to have a negligible impact on the amenity of the township. Recommencement of mining activities has been modelled to have a positive impact on the economy of the local region and the State through payment of rates, purchase of consumables, use of service industries and payment of royalties and taxes. Residents are expected to benefit from increased employment opportunities or opportunities for the provision of goods and services. Removal of contaminant sources in the process and remediation activities are expected to leave the Mount Morgan Mine in an improved condition with reduced levels of contaminants in runoff. This is expected to lead to an improvement in the EVs of the downstream waterways (a significant concern of some stakeholders) for both recreational users and primary producers. However, certainty in the mine plan is underpinned by a robust tailings strategy, and the proposed Upper Mundic Gully TSF will provide storage capacity as the construction of Sandstone Gully TSF is constrained. Hence it is crucial that these amendments are approved to facilitate that removal of contaminants though Heritage Mineral’s activities can proceed. 7.8.3 Management Practices The primary objective for Project community management is to facilitate improved environmental and economic outcomes and opportunities for Mount Morgan residents and those of the broader region. Heritage Minerals is committed to ongoing community and stakeholder consultation and will implement the following: ∕ Where the required skills are available, preferentially targeting any employment opportunities associated with the Project towards the local community and broader local region. ∕ Where economical and practical, seeking contractors, services and goods from the local region. The Heritage Minerals Stakeholder Consultation Procedure provides standard controls to maximise economic and environmental benefits of the Project to the community. This includes key themes of risk to and impact on stakeholders, employment, environment, product, infrastructure and security.
7.9
Cultural Heritage
7.9.1
Indigenous Heritage
7.9.1.1 Values A Cultural Heritage Investigation and Management Agreement (CHIMA) was made between the Gangulu Endorsed Parties (representing the Gangulu people) and Norton on the 30 June 2012. The
Project number: 25B061
Page 166
Powered by FlippingBook