❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the DEP about a DRI briquette spill at BHPB's Port Hedland facility. The DEP acknowledges the incident, details their response, and awaits a report from BHPB before determining further action.
AnsweredQoN 316Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the DEP aware of any incidents at the BHPB briquette shiploader at the Boodarrie Iron HBI/DRI plant in Port Hedland, occurring on or around November 8 2002?
(2) If yes, will the DEP table a copy of the notification it received of the incident?
(3) If yes to (1), what actions are proposed by the DEP and/or BHPB?
(2) If yes, will the DEP table a copy of the notification it received of the incident?
(3) If yes to (1), what actions are proposed by the DEP and/or BHPB?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 December 2002
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
20 days
(2) The DEP requested an official report of the incident on 15 November 2002. The report was not received by 2 December 2002 and was requested again. The incident was first identified by a Port Hedland resident who phoned the DEP Pilbara office on 14 November 2002 reporting the loss of what they estimated to be 8 tonnes of DRI briquettes to the harbour as a result of a ship-loader belt breakage. DEP staff conducted a BHBP plant inspection the next day and raised the issue with the Health Safety and Environment Manager BHPB. The incident was considered minor and had not been officially reported within BHPB at that time. Subsequent investigation determined that a belt had split, some briquettes had landed on the dock/deck and about 24 had fallen into the water. Due to the discrepancy between the complainant's assessment and the BHPB assessment of the quantity of briquettes, a full report was requested from BHPB. This has not yet been received by the DEP. (3) DEP has requested an internal investigation. BHPB has agreed to investigate and prepare a report. If the report indicates that further action is required this will be taken as part of the forthcoming DRI ship-loading facility inspection. DEP staff have recently inspected the DRI plant and BHPB's Iron Ore ship-loading facility. BHPB has been notified that the DRI (briquette) ship-loading facility will be inspected in the near future.
(3) DEP has requested an internal investigation. BHPB has agreed to investigate and prepare a report. If the report indicates that further action is required this will be taken as part of the forthcoming DRI ship-loading facility inspection. DEP staff have recently inspected the DRI plant and BHPB's Iron Ore ship-loading facility. BHPB has been notified that the DRI (briquette) ship-loading facility will be inspected in the near future.
(3) DEP has requested an internal investigation. BHPB has agreed to investigate and prepare a report. If the report indicates that further action is required this will be taken as part of the forthcoming DRI ship-loading facility inspection. DEP staff have recently inspected the DRI plant and BHPB's Iron Ore ship-loading facility. BHPB has been notified that the DRI (briquette) ship-loading facility will be inspected in the near future.
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