Miner backed by Rinehart broke environmental rules amid $840m in federal loans

A mining company backed with $840 million in federal loans has admitted to breaking environmental law at its flagship project to export critical minerals, sparking new warnings about risks to local habitat.

“There was no environmental impact as a result of the contravention – it was a procedural error,” she said. “Arafura staff and DCCEEW officials worked closely to resolve misunderstandings in the lead up to issuance of the fine.”The department said the company contravened a condition of the approval in February last year by starting work at the Nolans project, which is 135 kilometres north of Alice Springs, before meeting the requirements.

“Nolans is a significant mine, which will use up to 4.8 billion litres of water at full production, extract 304 million tonnes of waste across the life of the mine, and result in the processing of radioactive material, including thorium and uranium found in the ore deposit.” This led to last week’s deal to offer the loan from the government’s Critical Minerals Facility, which is managed by Export Finance Australia, as well as a separate $150 million loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

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