THE Environment Protection Authority Victoria has ruled a licence or works approval are inessential for Iluka Resources to continue disposing of mineral sands waste at Douglas.
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However the company will still require a planning permit from Horsham Rural City Council and radiation management licence to maintain the practices in pit 23 at the mine site.
It comes after the state’s mining warden – Energy and Earth Resources – this month ruled a full inquiry into Iluka's Douglas practices was unwarranted, but recommended further audits were needed.
The state government will audit the company’s practices after Kanagulk Landcare Group raised concerns disposals at the site were beyond work plan approval levels.
Iluka’s corporate affairs manager Rod Jones said the company was not surprised by the audit decision.
“We are comfortable and have been working with the state government for a long time,” he said.
“The review of past activities at the site is separate to our proposal for ongoing disposal of mineral sands waste.”
The Environment Protection Authority released a statement on Friday about its assessment of the disposal proposal.
It found neither pollution or environmental hazard had occurred or was likely to occur in the future with current and proposed pit 23 activities.
However the authority made recommendations for the site regulator to consider, to ensure Iluka’s activities are rigorously monitored.
The authority’s acting knowledge, standards and assessment executive director Anthony Boxshall said the authority considered community, referral agency and expert views.
“The Environment Protection Act 1970 does not apply to a radiation source within the meaning of the Radiation Act 2005, unless a condition of pollution or an environmental hazard has arisen or is likely to arise,” he said.
“Our assessment, which considered a comprehensive range of pollution pathways and potential contaminants, was that neither pollution or environmental hazard has occurred or is likely to occur in the future as a result of current and proposed pit 23 disposal activities.
“We also determined that the waste being disposed of in pit 23 is radioactive materials as defined by the Radiation Act 2005.
“Put simply, this means the Environment Protection Act 1970 does not apply to Iluka Resources’ proposed disposal activities at pit 23 and the company does not require a works approval or licence from the authority.
“However, Iluka Resources will still require a planning permit from Horsham Rural City Council in addition to the radiation management licence it currently has from the Department of Health and Human Services.”
Mr Jones said the company was pleased with the assessment.
“We are trying to be as transparent as we can with the process, and we’re comfortable with the authority’s assessment at this stage,” he said.
Mr Jones said Horsham council was due to make a decision about a planning permit at a meeting on June 6.
