Where possible keep track of habitat protection through socioeconomic development agreements

Concern: Costs of closure and the relevant plans may need to be modified as time passes. Currently, this is only formally evaluated when the water licence is up for review. A better way of keeping track of habitat protection on an ongoing basis should be developed.

Mining companies must update their closure plan every few years but these are not formally disclosed until the water licence renewal process is activated. In order to ensure that adequate habitat protection is occurring on an ongoing basis, socioeconomic agreements sought between the first nation and each major mining company working in RRDTT should detail the required habitat protection measures.