❓ A parliamentary question regarding potential seepage and stability issues at the Fimiston I tailings storage facility, focusing on its impact on the water table and Bulong Road. The response indicates uncertainty about the direct link between the dam and the issues raised, and points to potential regulatory oversight under the Mining Act.
AnsweredQoN 1641Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Fimiston I tailings storage facility operated by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd for Barrack Mines and Newmont Mining -
(1) Is it correct that the water table in 1994 had risen as a consequence of seepage from the Fimiston I tailings dam where there were damp areas along proportions of the toe of the northern and southern walls of Fimiston I?
(2) If no to (1) what is specifically correct?
(3) Is it correct that in 1994 and 1995 there was free water in sections of the diversion drain and the damp patches and the damp patches as a consequence of seepage extended across Bulong Road which is a major public access road?
(4) If no to (3) what is specifically correct in relation to these matters?
(5) Has seepage from the Fimiston I tailings dam since the dam was commenced caused the water table to rise where damp areas were present on Bulong Road itself and across Bulong Road?
(6) If yes to (5) on what date did this occur?
(7) What is the current depth to groundwater in metres below the surface on Bulong Road in closest proximity to the Fimiston I tailings dam?
(8) Did the owner/operator of the Fimiston I tailings dam give any serious consideration to aspects of seepage and stability when the notice of intent was first lodged with the department for approval prior to construction?
(9) If no to (8) why didn’t the department prior to approving the project make sure that the owner/operator did give serious consideration to aspects of seepage and stability?
(10) If yes to (8) what were those specific considerations in relation to aspects of seepage and stability?
(1) Is it correct that the water table in 1994 had risen as a consequence of seepage from the Fimiston I tailings dam where there were damp areas along proportions of the toe of the northern and southern walls of Fimiston I?
(2) If no to (1) what is specifically correct?
(3) Is it correct that in 1994 and 1995 there was free water in sections of the diversion drain and the damp patches and the damp patches as a consequence of seepage extended across Bulong Road which is a major public access road?
(4) If no to (3) what is specifically correct in relation to these matters?
(5) Has seepage from the Fimiston I tailings dam since the dam was commenced caused the water table to rise where damp areas were present on Bulong Road itself and across Bulong Road?
(6) If yes to (5) on what date did this occur?
(7) What is the current depth to groundwater in metres below the surface on Bulong Road in closest proximity to the Fimiston I tailings dam?
(8) Did the owner/operator of the Fimiston I tailings dam give any serious consideration to aspects of seepage and stability when the notice of intent was first lodged with the department for approval prior to construction?
(9) If no to (8) why didn’t the department prior to approving the project make sure that the owner/operator did give serious consideration to aspects of seepage and stability?
(10) If yes to (8) what were those specific considerations in relation to aspects of seepage and stability?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 March 2004
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
82 days
(1) I am advised by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that there was an elevated ground water table in the vicinity of Fimiston 1 in 1994. Groundwater levels in some monitoring bores were less than 2 metres below ground level. However, it has not been established with complete certainty that groundwater levels or seepage was directly related to Fimiston 1. (2) Not applicable. (3) The DEP has no information relating to ‘free water’ in sections of the diversion drain and damp patches across Bulong Road. (4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The DEP has no information relating to ‘free water’ in sections of the diversion drain and damp patches across Bulong Road. (4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(3) The DEP has no information relating to ‘free water’ in sections of the diversion drain and damp patches across Bulong Road. (4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(9-10) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The DEP has no information relating to ‘free water’ in sections of the diversion drain and damp patches across Bulong Road. (4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(3) The DEP has no information relating to ‘free water’ in sections of the diversion drain and damp patches across Bulong Road. (4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(5) The presence of damp areas on the Bulong Road specifically due to seepage from the Fimiston 1 tailing dam could not be confirmed. (6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(7) The current depth to groundwater below the surface of Bulong Road in closest proximity to Fimiston 1 tailings dam is approximately 4 metres (Monitoring bores MBF 10 and MBF 11). (8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(8) It is understood Fimiston 1 tailings dam was commissioned in 1988. The DEP’s licensing file, Volume 1 for this premises did not commence until 8 February 1989. Given the above timing, it is probable that matter of seepage/stability, and details of the Notice of Intent for the initial construction of the facility were likely managed under the Mining Act 1978, and therefore outside my portfolio. (9-10) Not applicable.
(9-10) Not applicable.
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