A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

The dunefields of Shelburne Bay had been placed under mining lease for silica
sand mining. The mining proposal would have involved the removal of two dune
systems, Conical and Saddle Hills, near Round Point, Shelburne Bay, as well as the
construction of a major port facility from the eastern end of Shelburne Bay via
Rodney Island to deep water offshore.
Proposals to mine the area in the 1980s were overruled by the Commonwealth
Government on the basis of the conservation value however the dunefields remained
technically available for mining operations. In 2003 the leases came up for renewal,
but due to the concerns from Aboriginal groups, conservationists and members of
the scientific community, the Queensland Government decided to cancel the leases
when applications were made for their renewal. The Government passed special
amendments to the (Queensland) Mineral Resources Act 1989 to confirm that the
right of renewal of the leases was being revoked thereby ensuring the environmental
and conservation values of the area are protected.
Figure 2.3 – Shelburne Bay’s silica sand
Industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations have sought to create
guidelines on no-go zones for mining both nationally within countries, and globally
through international conventions and agreements. International mining companies
that are members of the ICMM, and Australian members of MCA, have agreed not to
mine in existing World Heritage Areas. Dialogue continues to further the consensus
on measures necessary to maintain the values of other protected areas.
In Australia, any development project is subject to national and state assessment if
values of significance have been defined under the relevant legislation. There are
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 31