Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding compliance with safety regulations at Norseman Gold Company's Bullen, Okay, and Harlequin mines, focusing on ventilation, diesel particulate emissions, and inspection practices. The Minister refers to a previous question for some answers and clarifies responsibilities.

AnsweredQoN 2704Legislative Council
Asked
7 September 2010
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Norseman Gold Company and the Bullen, Okay and Harlequin Operations, with senior management from Barry Cahill and Corey Doust, and ask -
(1) Can the Minister state how many inspections, including a physical audit of all records to support the ventilation log bog entries, and non entries, have been undertaken of the Bullen Mine, Okay Mine and Harlequin Mine, in the last 36 months to check compliance with Regulation 9.8 of the
Mines Regulations 1995
?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Is it correct that for the last 24 months, the figures supplied by Complete Envirotest relating to the testing of diesel particulate emission and dispersion clearly indicate that the Bullen and Harlequin mines have been in non compliance of the maximum allowable limit of diesel particulate emission and dispersion?
(4) If no to (3), what specifically is correct?
(5) Can the Minister state when was the last time that a record of the readings concerning diesel particulate emission and dispersion was requested, received and analysed for compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
concerning diesel particulate emission and dispersion?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister state and quote the results of testing for diesel particulate emission and dispersion , including dates of readings/ testing for the last 36 months with a comparison for each with respect to compliance under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(8) If no (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state how many times a DMP inspector has personally conducted testing of diesel particulate emission and dispersion with a view to verifying compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
concerning diesel particulate emission and dispersion for the last 36 months?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Is it correct that on or around 2003, the DMP inspectorate stopped the requirement for mining companies with underground operations for regularly and consistently providing the test results, concerning diesel particulate emission and dispersion?
(12) If no to (11), what is specifically correct?
(13) Is it correct that the onus and obligation for testing for compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
in relation to diesel particulate emission and dispersion to ensure occupational health and safety of employees in all underground mines throughout Western Australia lies solely with the DMP inspectorate?
(14) If no to (13), what specifically is correct?
(15) Can the Minister state specifically, when was the last independent testing of all diesel vehicles and machines in the above referred to mines for diesel particulate emission and dispersion, and of the ventilation for diesel particulate emission and dispersion to verify compliance or non compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
(17) In relation to (1), can the minister state and quote what was the outcome of all inspections, physical audits of all records concerning ventilation log book entries and non entries in the last 36 months?
(18) If no to (17), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
12 October 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
(1) - (10)
Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
(11) No
(12) On 28 January 1999 the State Mining Engineer issued a general exemption from Regulation 10.55 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 which related to opacity testing of exhaust emissions on underground diesel engines.
(13) No
(14) This responsibility lies with the Registered Manager of the mine.
(15) - (18) Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
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