❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the government's stance on Uranex's uranium exploration leases, uranium mining ban, and the handling/classification of uranium samples during exploration, focusing on regulatory compliance and environmental safety.
AnsweredQoN 3395Legislative Council
Asked
11 April 2006
Member
Portfolio
Resources and Assisting the Minister for State Development
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to Uranex signing of Letter of Intent with the Department of Overseas Uranium Resources Investment of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) on the 4th April 2006, in relation to its applied for tenements over uranium reserves, I ask -
(1) Is it the Government’s intent to grant these exploration leases over the Thatcher Soak and Bremer Basin uranium deposits?
(2) Has the Government advised Uranex and CNNC or the Chinese Government that uranium mining is not permitted in Western Australia?
(3) When exploration leases are granted and uranium minerals are extracted can any company transport uranium samples to laboratories for assessment to enable qualification of a JORC compliant resource?
(4) If yes to (3), why and how?
(5) What is the classification of any uranium material used or transported for testing ie is it an ore or a waste?
(6) Once tested, how is that uranium material disposed of?
(7) Is the uranium material referred to in (6) then classified as waste?
(8) If no to (7), what is the classification of that material?
(9) In relation to drill samples of uranium ore, what method is used to secure this material?
(10) If no method is used, is it left in sample bags or sample piles at the drill site?
(1) Is it the Government’s intent to grant these exploration leases over the Thatcher Soak and Bremer Basin uranium deposits?
(2) Has the Government advised Uranex and CNNC or the Chinese Government that uranium mining is not permitted in Western Australia?
(3) When exploration leases are granted and uranium minerals are extracted can any company transport uranium samples to laboratories for assessment to enable qualification of a JORC compliant resource?
(4) If yes to (3), why and how?
(5) What is the classification of any uranium material used or transported for testing ie is it an ore or a waste?
(6) Once tested, how is that uranium material disposed of?
(7) Is the uranium material referred to in (6) then classified as waste?
(8) If no to (7), what is the classification of that material?
(9) In relation to drill samples of uranium ore, what method is used to secure this material?
(10) If no method is used, is it left in sample bags or sample piles at the drill site?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 May 2006
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Resources and Assisting the Minister for State Development
Response time
42 days
(1) Uranex NL has applied for an exploration licence situated 10 km north east of the Thatcher Soak prospect and has applied for a number of exploration licences situated in or adjacent to the Bremer Basin. These applications will be dealt with through the usual procedures of the Mining Act 1978. (2) No. The Government's position of banning the mining of uranium in WA has been well publicised and is widely known. (3)(4) Radioactive material must be transported in compliance with the WA Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002 and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2001, both of which are administered by the Health Department of WA. (5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(2) No. The Government's position of banning the mining of uranium in WA has been well publicised and is widely known. (3)(4) Radioactive material must be transported in compliance with the WA Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002 and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2001, both of which are administered by the Health Department of WA. (5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(3)(4) Radioactive material must be transported in compliance with the WA Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002 and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2001, both of which are administered by the Health Department of WA. (5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(2) No. The Government's position of banning the mining of uranium in WA has been well publicised and is widely known. (3)(4) Radioactive material must be transported in compliance with the WA Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002 and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2001, both of which are administered by the Health Department of WA. (5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(3)(4) Radioactive material must be transported in compliance with the WA Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002 and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 2001, both of which are administered by the Health Department of WA. (5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(5) Uranium material recovered for testing purposes as part of an exploration program would not be considered to be ore or waste. (6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(6) The assay laboratory, if located in WA, is required to be registered and licensed with the Health Department of WA under the Radiation Safety Act 1975. Part of the licensing requirements is to have an approved Radiation Management Plan which would include the management of uranium material supplied for test and assay purposes (7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(7) No. (8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(8) Mineral material sent for test and assay purposes. (9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(9) All radioactive materials recovered during exploration activities are required to be managed according to the company's approved Radiation Management Plan. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 16 - radiation safety details the requirements for a radiation management plan (Regulation 16.7) and compliance (Regulation 16.8). (10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
(10) All sample bags or sample piles containing radioactive materials must be managed in accordance with the approved Radiation Management Plan.
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