Fears Queenslanders could be forced to pay for mine cleanup as LNP reviews environmental ‘red tape’

Mining minister Dale Last says the state has an ‘enormous opportunity’ to become a global leader in critical minerals Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Queenslanders are being warned they could be left to pay for the clean up of abandoned mines if rehabilitation laws are weakened, after the state government announced a bid to cut environmental “red tape” for resources companies. The state’s treasurer, David Janetzki, and the mining minister, Dale Last, this week announced a review of a scheme that requires resources companies to provide surety to cover remediation and rehabilitation costs when mines close. Last said the review would ensure the scheme, introduced in 2019, remained “fit for purpose” and supported “responsible resources development across Queensland without constraining investment”. “The financial provisioning scheme has been one of the top three issues smaller mining companies and explorers continue to raise with me,” Last said. “Queensland has an enormous opportunity to become a global leader in critical minerals and the Crisafulli government is committed to cutt