❓ Hon Robin Chapple asks about a 1993 briefing note concerning pollution from the Oroya Tailings dam, specifically leakage, tree deaths, and water quality. The Minister declines to investigate due to the age of the issue and resource constraints, offering a meeting instead.
AnsweredQoN 390Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a briefing note which I understand was prepared by Mr Harvey Johnstone, signed by Andrew Baker dated November 3 1993 addressed to the Honourable Minister for the Environment concerning the Oroya Tailings dam, pollution, tree deaths and vegetation damage caused by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd -
(1) Is it correct that part of the briefing note states ‘I don’t think there is much doubt that water is leaking through the walls of the Oroya Facility given Mr Bradley’s observations and the video provided by Optimum Resources’?
(2) If yes to (1), can the Minister state what part(s) of Optimum’s video showed leakage and seepage through the walls and the amount of video footage in minutes which enabled Mr Baker to make this particular observation?
(3) If no to (1), can the Minister state what specifically does it state?
(4) Is it correct that part of the briefing note states ‘Results of water quality monitoring indicate low levels of cyanide in the water immediately adjacent to the dam walls, whilst further away from the walls the water is extremely saline (probably the cause of the tree deaths)’?
(5) If no to (4), will the Minister table a copy of this briefing note?
(6) If yes to (4), whom and on what specific dates undertook the water sampling which indicated low levels of cyanide in the water adjacent to the dam walls?
(1) Is it correct that part of the briefing note states ‘I don’t think there is much doubt that water is leaking through the walls of the Oroya Facility given Mr Bradley’s observations and the video provided by Optimum Resources’?
(2) If yes to (1), can the Minister state what part(s) of Optimum’s video showed leakage and seepage through the walls and the amount of video footage in minutes which enabled Mr Baker to make this particular observation?
(3) If no to (1), can the Minister state what specifically does it state?
(4) Is it correct that part of the briefing note states ‘Results of water quality monitoring indicate low levels of cyanide in the water immediately adjacent to the dam walls, whilst further away from the walls the water is extremely saline (probably the cause of the tree deaths)’?
(5) If no to (4), will the Minister table a copy of this briefing note?
(6) If yes to (4), whom and on what specific dates undertook the water sampling which indicated low levels of cyanide in the water adjacent to the dam walls?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 April 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
28 days
(1-6) The Honourable Member has asked a series of questions relevant to the Oroya Tailings Dam and events that occurred on or about 1993. These events occurred over nine years ago and several of the relevant officers have left the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since then. I can advise the Honourable Member that this tailings dam is no longer in use and has been covered by a waste dump. The DEP is not aware of any current issues concerning groundwater seepage. I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
These events occurred over nine years ago and several of the relevant officers have left the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since then. I can advise the Honourable Member that this tailings dam is no longer in use and has been covered by a waste dump. The DEP is not aware of any current issues concerning groundwater seepage. I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
I can advise the Honourable Member that this tailings dam is no longer in use and has been covered by a waste dump. The DEP is not aware of any current issues concerning groundwater seepage. I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
These events occurred over nine years ago and several of the relevant officers have left the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since then. I can advise the Honourable Member that this tailings dam is no longer in use and has been covered by a waste dump. The DEP is not aware of any current issues concerning groundwater seepage. I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
I can advise the Honourable Member that this tailings dam is no longer in use and has been covered by a waste dump. The DEP is not aware of any current issues concerning groundwater seepage. I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
I am not prepared, at this stage, to divert an officer from the important work of licensing duties to retrieve old files, which may take some time to locate, and conduct lengthy research on this matter. However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
However, I am prepared to offer the Honourable Member a meeting with Departmental staff and representatives from my office to discuss the concerns raised.
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