❓ Question regarding the potential environmental impact of the Wiluna uranium proposal, specifically concerning the storage of radioactive tailings in a flood-prone area and the adequacy of regulatory oversight. The Minister acknowledges awareness and outlines planned inspections and ongoing assessment.
AnsweredQoN 2999Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to previous rainfall events that filled the salina systems of Lake Way and Lake Maitland associated with
the Wiluna uranium proposal, and ask: (a) is the Minister aware of the flooding of Lake
Way where the Wiluna uranium site is proposed; (b) is the Minister aware that the proponent, Toro
Energy, plans to store radioactive mine waste tailings in an area that was inundated
with water; (c) given that the company completed a test pit at
the Centipede site in 2011, has or will the Minister require a review of the
site to assess if damage was done, or if radiation was released into the
environment post flooding; and (d) given that a motion through Parliament was
supported to effectively isolate uranium tailings from the environment for no
less than 10,000 years, does the Minister consider tailings in a lake under water can meet this requirement?
the Wiluna uranium proposal, and ask: (a) is the Minister aware of the flooding of Lake
Way where the Wiluna uranium site is proposed; (b) is the Minister aware that the proponent, Toro
Energy, plans to store radioactive mine waste tailings in an area that was inundated
with water; (c) given that the company completed a test pit at
the Centipede site in 2011, has or will the Minister require a review of the
site to assess if damage was done, or if radiation was released into the
environment post flooding; and (d) given that a motion through Parliament was
supported to effectively isolate uranium tailings from the environment for no
less than 10,000 years, does the Minister consider tailings in a lake under water can meet this requirement?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 June 2015
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
42 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a)
Yes
(b)
The Minister considers that there will be adequate regulatory controls in place to assess and manage the tailings storage facility for the Wiluna uranium project, including flood containment.
(c)
Officers from the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of Environment Regulation are scheduled to jointly inspect the Centipede site area in June 2015.
(d)
The proposed approach to isolating tailings from the environment,
presented prior to environmental approval by both the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments, will be further refined through the Mining Proposal assessment process.
(a)
Yes
(b)
The Minister considers that there will be adequate regulatory controls in place to assess and manage the tailings storage facility for the Wiluna uranium project, including flood containment.
(c)
Officers from the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Department of Environment Regulation are scheduled to jointly inspect the Centipede site area in June 2015.
(d)
The proposed approach to isolating tailings from the environment,
presented prior to environmental approval by both the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments, will be further refined through the Mining Proposal assessment process.
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