East Arnhem

Company: Rio Tinto

Mine/Project: Gove Bauxite Mine

Mineral/Product: Bauxite [Aluminium]

Overview:
The Gove mine in East Arnhem has been supplying the global aluminium industry with bauxite for more than 50 years. Bauxite is the ore of aluminium and is used to produce aluminium metal and alumina. The Gove refinery processed the bauxite into alumina up until 2014 when Rio Tinto decided to close the refinery.

Gove bauxite is shipped internationally as well as domestically to supply Queensland Alumina Limited and Yarwun refineries in Gladstone, Queensland. These refineries produce alumina as feedstock for our Australian aluminium smelting operations and for sale on the international market.

Bauxite mining operations at Gove will cease later this decade, and significant work is already being undertaken to close and rehabilitate the entire operation. The work is expected to take 10 years.

The Gove Alumina refinery’s history is unique and personal to many employees and local community members. The first day of production took place in 1972, but the history of the land where the operation was established has stories, memories and songlines that go back multiple generations. Demolition of the refinery is one of the largest demolition projects in the Southern Hemisphere. Following demolition work will be undertaken to remediate the land.

Significant work is also underway to treat wastewater and remediate tailings.

Community contribution:

• A spend of $433 million nationally with supplier partners in 2022, of which $110 million was spent with Indigenous businesses.
• Supporting around 2,000 jobs in the NT.
• Generation of royalties for the NT government, which are used to fund essential services.
• Building and maintaining the Nhulunbuy’s infrastructure, such as roads, water, and sewerage.
• Sponsoring local events and organisations.
• Working with local Indigenous communities to promote economic development and self-determination.
• Sponsorship of the Yothu Yindu Foundation’s Garma Festival.
• Ongoing support of the Nhulunbuy Community Beach Volleyball Competition.
• Becoming a customer of the Gulkula mine (Australia’s first 100% Indigenous-run and owned bauxite mine, wholly owned by the Gumatj clan), and exporting it nationally and internationally through our export wharf at Gove.
• Helping to establish and fund the Gumatj Corporation’s Gulkula Regional Training Centre.

How many people are employed: About 1,950, including contractors

Mine lifetime: The mine is due to close in the late 2020s.

Rehabilitation plan: The Gove mine closure and rehabilitation project is a complex and challenging undertaking. The Gove Refinery is the largest demolition project in the Southern Hemisphere. Rio Tinto is ensuring the mine and refinery are closed in a safe and environmentally responsible way. The project is also an opportunity to create jobs and economic opportunities for the region.

The closure and rehabilitation project is expected to take about 10 years to complete.

The project will involve the decommissioning of the mine infrastructure, the rehabilitation of the mined land, and the management of environmental impacts.

Decommissioning of the mine infrastructure will involve the removal of buildings, structures, and equipment.

The refinery and tailings ponds closed in 2014, and rehabilitation work is already underway.

The project is being designed in consultation with the Traditional Owners of the land, the Yolngu people.

Due to the time involved, rehabilitation is expected to create jobs and economic opportunities for the region.

Rehabilitation will involve the revegetation of the land, the capping of waste rock dumps, and the management of water quality.

Management of environmental impacts includes monitoring the environment for potential impacts and taking steps to mitigate those impacts.

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Company: Gulkula Mining

Mine/Project: Dhupuma Plateau

Mineral/Product: Bauxite [Aluminium]

Overview:
The Dhupuma Plateau Bauxite mine is the world’s first Indigenous-owned and operated bauxite mine. The mine is situated on the Dhupuma Plateau, the traditional land of the Yolngu People, about 30 km south of the town of Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula.

The mine is 100 per cent owned by the Gumatj clan, one of the Yolngu Traditional Owner groups of East Arnhem Land. It has a mineral lease (ML31025) covering an area of 68.55 square kilometres. The bauxite deposit is estimated to contain 10 million tonnes of ore.

The mine began production in August 2017 and is expected to have a mine life of 15 years. It produces 700,000 tonnes of bauxite per year, which is used to make aluminium. The ore is sold to Rio Tinto’s Gove operation.

The mine operates in accordance with the highest environmental standards. The company has a Mining Training Centre for local Aboriginal people, established with the support of Rio Tinto.

Dhupuma Plateau is a significant project that contributes to the economic and social development of East Arnhem Land. The mine operates sustainably and is committed to protecting the environment. It employs around 35 people, mainly from the Yolngu community, and has a number of environmental management systems in place, including plans for water management, waste management, and environmental monitoring.

Community contribution:

• The mine employs around 35 people, the majority of whom are from the Yolngu community.
• Like other mines throughout the NT, Gulkula Mining pays a 25% royalty on bauxite production, which is paid to the NT government.
• There is also a community development levy paid by the mine operator to the local community.
• It contributes to the economic development of the region by providing jobs and generating royalties for the Yolngu people. The mine is also expected to attract other businesses to the region, which will create further employment opportunities.
• The mine also provides a sense of pride and ownership for the Yolngu people, helping to preserve their culture and way of life. It provides opportunities for Yolngu people to learn new skills and gain employment, which can help to improve their standard of living.
• Dhupuma Plateau operates in accordance with the highest environmental standards. The mine has a number of environmental management systems in place, including water management, waste management, and environmental monitoring plans. These help to ensure the mine doesn’t have a negative impact on the environment.
• Established in conjunction with Rio Tinto, Gumatj Corporation’s Gulkula provides training in a range of mining skills, including operating machinery, safety, and environmental management.

How many people are employed: 35

Mine lifetime: Around 15 years

Rehabilitation plan: The rehabilitation plan has been approved by the Northern Territory government and is subject to regular monitoring to ensure it is being implemented effectively. Gulkula Mining is also committed to working with the local community to develop a plan for future use of the land after the mine closes. The community has expressed interest in using the land for tourism, cultural purposes, and other economic development activities.

The mine began in 2017 and is expected to close in 2032. However, as mining operations are complete in certain areas, rehabilitation commences.

The rehabilitation process includes seed collection, germination trials, plant propagation, weed control and management.

Restoring the land to its original condition, including replanting vegetation and restoring waterways.

Removing all mine infrastructure, such as buildings and machinery.

Contaminated soil and water will be treated and disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.

Once the ground is prepared, seed collected on the mine site over the year is spread over this area. Tube stock trees and shrubs grown in the Gulkula nursery from seeds collected across the mine are also planted to support the land rehabilitation.

Mine Site Rehabilitation experience by Gulkula can be easily transferred to other sites requiring rehabilitation across Northern Australia.

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