❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs regarding alleged breaches by Focus Minerals Ltd at the Big Blow mining operation. The Minister's response indicates no evidence of a breach was found, but highlights concerns regarding heritage surveys.
AnsweredQoN 1222Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to my question without notice No. 446 asked on 10 April 2014 and relating to the mining operation by Focus Minerals Ltd known as Big Blow, which is south east of Coolgardie, and I ask: (a) can the Minister please provide an update on the alleged breach being investigated by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs; (b) with which traditional owners has Focus Minerals Ltd consulted with regarding the 'Big Blow' project area and related project areas in the last five years; (c) how many, of what nature and with whom has Focus Minerals conducted Aboriginal heritage surveys in the last five years; and (d) how many section 18 notices have Focus Minerals submitted to the Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee within the last five years?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 June 2014
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
40 days
(a) The Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) has discussed the matter with Traditional Owners and their representative. No evidence of a breach has been presented. On 11 April 2014, a DAA officer inspected a ceremonial site of significance near the location of Focus Minerals Ltd's activities and confirmed the site to be intact. Discussions with Traditional Owners indicate the issue relates to whether Focus Minerals Ltd has completed heritage surveys rather than specific knowledge of any breach of the
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(b) DAA is aware that Focus Minerals Ltd consulted with representatives of Central West Goldfields People, Kalamaia Kadu(d)n and the Maduwongga People in October 2009.
(c) DAA is aware of one relevant Aboriginal heritage survey report carried out by Rory O'Connor on behalf of Focus Minerals Ltd. This heritage survey involved an investigation of mining tenement M15/958 and adjacent Focus Minerals Ltd held tenure to verify whether Aboriginal heritage site DAA 3008 intersected with tenements held by Focus Minerals Ltd.
(d) DAA has not received any section 18 applications from Focus Minerals Ltd within the last five years.
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
(b) DAA is aware that Focus Minerals Ltd consulted with representatives of Central West Goldfields People, Kalamaia Kadu(d)n and the Maduwongga People in October 2009.
(c) DAA is aware of one relevant Aboriginal heritage survey report carried out by Rory O'Connor on behalf of Focus Minerals Ltd. This heritage survey involved an investigation of mining tenement M15/958 and adjacent Focus Minerals Ltd held tenure to verify whether Aboriginal heritage site DAA 3008 intersected with tenements held by Focus Minerals Ltd.
(d) DAA has not received any section 18 applications from Focus Minerals Ltd within the last five years.
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