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Rehabilitation Trust Fund

Rehabilitation of Abandoned Mining Lands

Mining has played a central role in Tasmania’s economy for over 200 years, evolving from small scale extractions to large, mechanised mines in operation for several decades. Whilst this rich mining history has contributed significantly to the State’s development, it has also left a legacy of over 4 000 abandoned mining and exploration sites across Tasmania.

Some of these legacy sites present ongoing risks to public health and safety and the environment. Physical hazards can include exposed adits, shafts, infrastructure and other workings, while ecological impacts may include acid mine drainage, elevated metal concentrations in downstream water, and land degradation caused by active erosion.

Such impacts have occurred due to historically lower regulatory standards and poor management practices then what are in place today.

Current Mining Regulation

Today, mining is Tasmania is conducted under strict government regulations and in accordance with industry best practice.

The Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 provides Tasmania’s legislative framework for the development of mineral resources consistent with sound economic, environmental and land use management practices.

The holders of exploration licences and mining leases are required to rehabilitate any land disturbed by their work. To support this obligation, the Tasmanian Government holds bonds, also referred to as security deposits, against exploration and mining titles, ensuring that any outstanding rehabilitation can be completed if an operator fails to do so.

For a security deposit to be returned, a site must:

  • be self-sustaining, stable and non-polluting
  • be suitable for its intended final use
  • be free from ongoing erosion and declared weeds
  • have revegetation fully established and effective across the entire site.

The Rehabilitation of Mining Lands Trust Fund

The Rehabilitation of Mining Lands Trust Fund (RTF) was established under Section 181 of the Mineral Resources Development Act 1995 to support the rehabilitation and management of abandoned mining lands on Crown Land in Tasmania.

Abandoned mining lands refers to land affected by former mining or exploration activities of which no induvial, company or organisation can be held responsible. Such sites have also been referred to as ‘derelict’ or orphan mines.

The primary objective of the RTF is to return abandoned mining lands to a condition which presents no ongoing environmental or safety risks, that is safe, stable, non‑polluting, and suitable for future land use.

The RTF is administered by Mineral Resources Tasmania on behalf of the Tasmanian Government and is governed by an established committee comprising representatives from:

  • Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT)
  • Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
  • Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) - Represented by Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS)
  • Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT)
  • Concrete, Cement and Aggregates Australia (CCAA)
  • Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council (TMEC)

This committee supports project delivery, guides prioritisation, and ensures that the management and rehabilitation of abandoned mining lands are undertaken in a structured, accountable, and collaborative manner.

The RTF is currently financed through an annual appropriation by the Tasmanian Parliament of $150,000. Under the Tasmanian Government's ‘Bolstering the Rehabilitation Trust Fund Initiative’ an additional $100,000 was allocated to the fund for the 2025-2026 and 2026-27 financial years.

All rehabilitation projects funded through the RTF are delivered in accordance with the Strategy for the Rehabilitation of Abandoned Mining Lands. This strategy outlines the principles and decision-making approaches used to identify, assess and manage abandoned mine sites across Tasmania.

MRT’s Land and Tenements Branch manages the delivery of all rehabilitation projects, ensuring that public safety, environmental protection and community values are at the centre of rehabilitation efforts.

Aims of rehabilitation

The aims of rehabilitation under the RTF are to:

  • remove risks to public health and safety (safe)
  • stabilise the site and reduce or remove the impact of erosion or mass movement (stable)
  • remove or ameliorate sources of onsite and offsite pollution or contamination (non-polluting)
  • ensure revegetation reflects surrounding vegetation types, is established and self-sustaining
  • ensure a site is suitable for its intended final/future use and that its value is identified and protected.

Reporting

An annual report of Trust Fund activities is produced by Mineral Resources Tasmania, and rehabilitation projects and general updates are also regularly highlighted in the MRT newsletter.

For further information you can contact MRT directly via email on info@mrt.tas.gov.au, or make an enquiry using MRT's General Enquiry Form.