release of mine water into the Fitzroy

Legacy Mine Water Program

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) is responsible for regulating and monitoring mines water releases into receiving environments and works collaboratively with other government agencies in managing, monitoring and mitigating mines releases during times of extreme weather events.

The Economic Development Act 2012  was passed by the Qld Parliament on 29 November 2012 to enable the State Government to approve the release of water from mines with only 24 hours notice.  The Qld Government will extend the Legacy Mine Water program to other coal mines in the Fitzroy River Basin in the next wet season, through changes to the coal mines environmental authorities.

Under a Temporary Emissions License, companies no longer have to test their mine water for contaminants before they release.

Central Queensland coal mines still have an estimated 250 gigalitres of excess water as a result of the recent wet seasons.

The Qld Government is committed to working with industry to address the legacy mine water issue, as an important step to delivering a long-term improvement in Fitzroy basin water quality.

Release of water from Coal Mines

Release of water from Coal Mines

Last week in Parliament, the question of excess floodwater in the coalmines in Central Qld, was raised.  In the last financial year, the Qld’s income from coal royalties was down considerably to what otherwise could have been expected.

Coal mining in Qld was severely affected by the 2010-2011 wet season and the flooding that occurred.

The Qld Government has been in negotiations with a whole range of stakeholders.  The Treasurer has announced the formation of the Resources Cabinet Committee to look at a whole range of issues that are affecting the resources industry in Qld including the release of contaminated water.

The Qld Premier stated that he has not been involved in discussions on the release of contaminated water from mines.  The Premier told Parliament that he had yet to receive a briefing; if there have indeed been detailed discussions with mining companies.

The Preimer assured Parliament that the Qld Government will not do anything to in any way degrade the feed water coming down the Fitzroy for their water supply.

The Premier went on to say that there is an important issue here that needs to be dealt with. For a long time there has been water in pits, and it is affecting jobs.  The floods of almost two years ago really have hampered production, because the large open-cut pits have filled with water.  The Qld Government is working with the mining industry and stakeholders to actually find those solutions.