Vista Gold partners with Landcare for river projects

Funding for two environmental projects aimed at improving land management in the Katherine River catchment area has been given a substantial boost by Vista Gold.

The two projects, initiated by the Katherine Landcare Group, deal with the management of weeds by landowners in the Katherine River catchment and improving degraded sites throughout the Katherine region.

Landcare Project Manager Jamie Lewis said the $5,000 funding could not have come at a better time.

“We have had an overwhelming response to these projects, with initial funding now complete the Vista Gold support will enable us to continue to engage with local landowners to improve the river catchment.”

Vista Gold’s funding will support Landcare’s “Need help with weeds” and “Protecting the biodiversity of the Katherine, Edith, Cullen and Ferguson river catchments” projects.

The “Need help with weeds” project provides herbicide, loan equipment and advice to landholders in the Katherine River catchment to enable them to identify and treat infestations of invasive woody weeds on their properties and adjacent crown lands.

“In the past 12 months this project engaged nearly 70 rural landholders and managed woody weeds over 260 hectares. Vista Gold’s contribution will enable this project to continue and expand,” Mr Lewis said.

“Through the additional funding we will also be able to grow several thousand native seedlings for revegetation under the biodiversity project.”

Vista Gold Australia General Manager Brent Murdoch said that the company was pleased to assist and welcomed the partnership with Landcare.

“Looking after the environment in which we operate is our highest priority,” he said.

“Working with Landcare to build a better future for the Edith and Katherine Rivers will benefit the whole of the community. This partnership gives us an opportunity to share information we have gathered through our water monitoring program and contribute to community based activities.”

The Katherine Landcare projects are also generously supported by the Katherine Town Council, Landmark, Territory NRM and the Department of Land Resource Management.

Media enquiries: Jeannette Button on 8941 9169, 0407 727 080

Mt Todd EIS available for public comment

The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mt Todd Gold Project will be submitted to the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority today.

Vista Gold General Manager Brent Murdoch Mr Murdoch said he welcomed the opportunity to clarify environmental aspects of the project through the EIS process.

“We are looking forward to working together with the Government and the community to take this project forward,” Mr Murdoch said.

“We are encouraged by the potential of the project and have consulted with a wide range of representatives from community, non-government groups and key organisations since January 2011 to ensure that we have a full appreciation of the range of factors involved.

“The EIS identifies potential environmental, social, transport, cultural and economic impacts associated with reopening and operating the Mt Todd Gold Mine.

“Community input is an important part of the EIS process. It will help the project team understand what issues are important to the community. It will also allow the project team to identify ways to avoid, mitigate or manage some of the negative impacts and maximise positive ones.”

Vista Gold proposes to re-establish, operate and rehabilitate the Mt Todd Gold Mine approximately 55km north-west of Katherine and 250km south of Darwin.

The draft EIS has been prepared by independent consultants GHD Pty Ltd to support key Commonwealth and Northern Territory Government approvals under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Northern Territory Environmental Assessment Act 1982.

The document is available on the NTEPA and Mt Todd websites and will be on public display from today until 12 August 2013. A full list of where it is displayed can be accessed from our website.

Interested parties wishing to comment on the draft EIS are invited to make written submissions on or before 12 August.

For more information on how to comment on the draft EIS visit the NT EPA website: www.ntepa.nt.gov.au/about-nt-epa or www.mttodd.com.au