A parliamentary question regarding the transportation of uranium ore/yellowcake through Kalgoorlie, specifically if the Parkeston hub is not ready. The Minister clarifies that trucking bypassing the city would be considered, consistent with his previous statements.

AnsweredQoN 54Legislative Council
Asked
17 February 2011
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

URANIUM TRANSPORT
I refer to the proposed uranium ore transportation hub at Parkeston and the Kalgoorlie Miner article published on 22 May 2010 headed—according to my notes—“Uranium Decision Critical” in which the minister states — When I became aware of the options they were considering I said to them as far as I am concerned it (yellowcake) is not to be transported through built-up areas in Kalgoorlie and it doesn’t need to. (1) Have several uranium project proponents indicated in their scoping documents or environmental review management plans that they plan to truck uranium ore through Kalgoorlie if the Parkeston hub has not been developed by the time the proponents’ projects are operational? (2) If yes, would the minister allow the trucking of uranium ore through the city of Kalgoorlie under the circumstances described, given his statements in the Kalgoorlie Miner that he would not do so? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If no to (2), why not? Hon NORMAN MOORE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
(2) If yes, would the minister allow the trucking of uranium ore through the city of Kalgoorlie under the circumstances described, given his statements in the Kalgoorlie Miner that he would not do so? (3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If no to (2), why not? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
(3) If yes to (2), why? (4) If no to (2), why not? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
(4) If no to (2), why not? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
(1) I understand that uranium companies have indicated that the road-only option would be considered for the transport of yellowcake—not uranium ore, as the honourable member refers to in his question—should the preferred Parkeston option not be available by the time the mines are in production. (2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
(2)–(3) Trucking of yellowcake on roads bypassing Kalgoorlie–Boulder would be considered as this would clearly avoid the central business district and residential areas. This is entirely consistent with my position as reported in the Kalgoorlie Miner article that the honourable member refers to. (4) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more