❓ Hon Wilson Tucker questions the approval process of exploration tenement EL 80/5027 in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment, specifically regarding DWER investigations and the application of the precautionary principle. The Minister's response clarifies that DWER investigations aren't legislatively required pre-grant and decisions adhere to the Mining Act.
AnsweredQoN 129Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MARTUWARRA FITZROY RIVER — EXPLORATION
TENEMENTS
129. Hon
WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum:
I refer to the approval of
exploration tenement EL 80/5027 (Aries) in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River
catchment on 10 October 2017 by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
(1) Did the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation undertake the required
investigations, including of the Argyle and Ellendale mine sites, before the
approval was granted; and, if not, why not?
(2) Is the Minister for Mines and Petroleum required
to adopt the precautionary principle in his decision-making ; and, if
not, why not?
TENEMENTS
129. Hon
WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum:
I refer to the approval of
exploration tenement EL 80/5027 (Aries) in the Martuwarra Fitzroy River
catchment on 10 October 2017 by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
(1) Did the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation undertake the required
investigations, including of the Argyle and Ellendale mine sites, before the
approval was granted; and, if not, why not?
(2) Is the Minister for Mines and Petroleum required
to adopt the precautionary principle in his decision-making ; and, if
not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the
question. The following information has been provided by the Minister for Mines
and Petroleum. However, I draw the member's attention, again, to the
answer provided to yesterday's question that an exploration tenement
does not give any right in a mechanised way to interfere with the land. The
member has to understand that that is the context of this answer.
A member interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN : It
reads —
(1) There is no
legislative requirement for an investigation by the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation prior to the grant of an exploration licence.
(2) All decisions are made in
accordance with the Mining Act 1978 and Mining Regulations 1981.
question. The following information has been provided by the Minister for Mines
and Petroleum. However, I draw the member's attention, again, to the
answer provided to yesterday's question that an exploration tenement
does not give any right in a mechanised way to interfere with the land. The
member has to understand that that is the context of this answer.
A member interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN : It
reads —
(1) There is no
legislative requirement for an investigation by the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation prior to the grant of an exploration licence.
(2) All decisions are made in
accordance with the Mining Act 1978 and Mining Regulations 1981.
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