❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Environment regarding pollution at Coorinjinna Pool near the Whim Creek copper mine, seeking information on the pollution's origin, risks, responsible parties, and potential prosecution. The Minister responds that the matter is under investigation.
AnsweredQoN 873Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WATER QUALITY — COORINJINNA
POOL — PILBARA
873. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the article headed ''Whim
Creek copper mine faces questions over possible Pilbara river pollution''
from the ABC Pilbara on 18 August 2019 and to photographs of pollution and
sample tests of water that were taken at Coorinjinna Pool showing extremely
elevated levels of copper and other heavy metal pollution.
(1) Given that
there was no discernible pollution at the freshwater Coorinjinna Pool site a year
ago, when did the pollution of this site commence, when was it reported and by
whom?
(2) Given that
many people camp in the area and use the water for drinking and washing, what
are the risks to the public when exposed to this pollution?
(3) Who is the
perpetrator of the pollution at Coorinjinna Pool, are they responsible for the
clean-up and when will it commence?
(4) Given that
Venturex Pilbara and Blackrock Metals, the mining tenement holders and the
operators of the nearby Whim Creek copper mine, have recently been served with
an environmental protection notice due to suspected emissions of heavy metals
and highly acidic process water that are likely to cause, or have caused,
pollution, are these companies likely to be responsible for the pollution at
Coorinjinna Pool?
(5) When will the perpetrators of
the pollution be prosecuted?
POOL — PILBARA
873. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the article headed ''Whim
Creek copper mine faces questions over possible Pilbara river pollution''
from the ABC Pilbara on 18 August 2019 and to photographs of pollution and
sample tests of water that were taken at Coorinjinna Pool showing extremely
elevated levels of copper and other heavy metal pollution.
(1) Given that
there was no discernible pollution at the freshwater Coorinjinna Pool site a year
ago, when did the pollution of this site commence, when was it reported and by
whom?
(2) Given that
many people camp in the area and use the water for drinking and washing, what
are the risks to the public when exposed to this pollution?
(3) Who is the
perpetrator of the pollution at Coorinjinna Pool, are they responsible for the
clean-up and when will it commence?
(4) Given that
Venturex Pilbara and Blackrock Metals, the mining tenement holders and the
operators of the nearby Whim Creek copper mine, have recently been served with
an environmental protection notice due to suspected emissions of heavy metals
and highly acidic process water that are likely to cause, or have caused,
pollution, are these companies likely to be responsible for the pollution at
Coorinjinna Pool?
(5) When will the perpetrators of
the pollution be prosecuted?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is currently investigating
alleged discharges of contaminated water
from the Whim Creek copper project. Details regarding the nature of discharge,
as well as impacts of the potential pollution to the river, including
Coorinjinna Pool, remain under investigation.
(2) The
department has advised me that concentrations of metals in the sample results
to which the member referred meet health-based recreational water quality
guidelines. The department is currently awaiting results from further recent
water quality testing and will consult the Department of Health regarding all
results. The Department of Health advises that naturally sourced water can be
contaminated in many ways. Testing of the water is the only way to determine
whether the water is safe to drink.
(3)–(4) Refer
to (1).
(5) Once the investigation is finalised, the department
will identify whether there has been a breach of the Environmental
Protection Act 1986; and, if so, take appropriate action in accordance with the
department's compliance and enforcement policy.
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is currently investigating
alleged discharges of contaminated water
from the Whim Creek copper project. Details regarding the nature of discharge,
as well as impacts of the potential pollution to the river, including
Coorinjinna Pool, remain under investigation.
(2) The
department has advised me that concentrations of metals in the sample results
to which the member referred meet health-based recreational water quality
guidelines. The department is currently awaiting results from further recent
water quality testing and will consult the Department of Health regarding all
results. The Department of Health advises that naturally sourced water can be
contaminated in many ways. Testing of the water is the only way to determine
whether the water is safe to drink.
(3)–(4) Refer
to (1).
(5) Once the investigation is finalised, the department
will identify whether there has been a breach of the Environmental
Protection Act 1986; and, if so, take appropriate action in accordance with the
department's compliance and enforcement policy.
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