Darwin 7 May 2013. The Country Liberals Government will implement a levy on Territory mining companies to pay for the environmental rehabilitation of legacy mining sites.

A one per cent levy on new and existing Environmental Rehabilitation Security Bonds will come in to effect from October 2013.

The environmental rehabilitation levy will raise approximately $6.45 million in its first year with amounts in subsequent years being dependent on the dollar amount of security bonds held.

Minister for Mines and Energy, Willem Westra van Holthe, said the levy was an important step in addressing legacy mine sites across the Territory - something Delia Lawrie’s former Government lacked the courage to do.

"With the $5.5 billion debt we inherited from Delia Lawrie’s former Government, we're simply asking mining companies to chip in to a program that will be used to remediate legacy environmental problems caused by the industry,” Mr Westra van Holthe said.

“The Country Liberals Government wants to provide a healthy environment for the next generation of Territorians. We must act now to start repairing old mining sites around the Territory.

“The levy will go in to a Mining Remediation Fund to address legacy mine liabilities, will fund a dedicated Mining Remediation Team and will create positions for more Officers to work directly on legacy issues.

"We will continue to hold a 100 per cent bond on the cost of rehabilitating existing and new mine sites.

"This levy will not compromise our existing 100 per cent environmental rehabilitation bonds.

"We are taking responsible action for our environment.

“Mining companies are corporate citizens; they have a social responsibility to improve the environment around them. As a Government we are prepared to partner with industry to see this long term environmental problem addressed.

“I am committed to working with industry to ensure that this levy is implemented with the least