An environmental engineer claims the Northern Territory Government does not adequately monitor the environmental performance of the mining industry.

His comments come after the release of a report on an investigation conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency into a petrol spill at Rio Tinto's Gove mine site.

In the report, the EPA has also raised concerns about the Government's monitoring capabilities.

Dr Gavin Mudd from Monash University says the industry is virtually self regulating.

He says he's particularly concerned by the closure of Energy Resources of Australia's Ranger Uranium Mine for 12 weeks because of a tailings dam being full.

"Because they have failed to be as proactive as they've needed over dealing with their process water on site, they've always delayed investment into capacity of a treatment system, so they've now had to close for 12 weeks.

"If the Government had put their foot down earlier it may not have happened.

"But they've allowed the company to take that risk."

The Country Hour has invited both Energy Resources Australia chief executive Rob Atkinson and NT Minister for Resources Kon Vatskalis on the program but both have said they are unavailable.

However the ABC received aa written statement from the Department of Resources.

"The NT Government takes environmental protection seriously, and we are assessing the EPA report in greater detail.

"A number of the issues raised in the EPA report have already been acted on, or will be addressed through upcoming amendments to the Mine Management Act.

"We have already taken steps to the frequency of audits and inspections with additional inspectors.

"Further proposed changes include increased environmental reporting, greater transparency for performance reporting and a wide range of offence provisions.

"Royalties from mining operations are paid to the Treasury Department, with mining regulation is undertaken independently by the Department of Resources. 

"The level of monitoring of the mining industry is not linked to the royalties received from the mining sector. 

"The record Wet season has lifted the level of these tailings facilities to its current levels. Adequate capacity is available to retain tailing water on the Ranger site.

"On advice from the Supervising Scientist, the Government has approved ERA using existing capacity within its tailing facilities.

"The Department and the Supervising Scientist is receiving daily reports of rainfall and the level of the tailings dams.

"The company has ceased all mining activity at Ranger. Rainfall is the only addition to the tailing dams."