Recent changes to environmental legislation and trends in the
environmental regulation of mining in the Northern Territory are being
driven by (among other factors) Federal Government policies and
international agreements on the environment. These trends are discussed
and the expected application of the NT Water Quality Management
Strategy (based on the National Water Quality Objectives) over the next
few years is examined with respect to mine environmental management
practices. Some of the potential conflicts and changes in approach which may
develop are identified and examples discussed. Proactive means of integrating trends in environmental legislation with
mine planning and waste management are discussed.