❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding KCGM's compliance with tenement conditions related to tailings storage facilities, specifically concerning freeboard requirements and seepage. The Minister defers answering until the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources completes its investigation.
AnsweredQoN 556Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Mining Leases 26/383, 26/308, 26/451, General Purpose Leases G26/44-68, G26/70-71, G26/73-78, G26/82-86, a file a note which I understand is signed by Jay Ranasooriya, Geotechnical Engineer dated February 4 1997 concerning Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) tailings storage facilities 1996 Annual Operational Audit, Annual Operational Audit 2000 of the Fimiston I and II Tailings Storage facilities, a letter dated July 1 1996 signed by H Jones, Assistant Director Research and Technical Services addressed to Mr P W Rowe, The Registered Manager, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines reference HJ.FK 2009/96 and the 2000 Operational Audit report for the Tailings Storage Facilities at the Gidgi Roaster produced by Golder Associates -
(1) Has KCGM or the holders of the tenements covering the Fimiston II tailings dams breached any of the tenement conditions in not complying with the minimal operational freeboard requirement in 1996, 1997 and 2000?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Will the Minister or the Department impose tenement conditions under the
Mining Act
upon all the tenements covering the Fimiston I, Fimiston II and Gidgi tailings dams to ensure that KCGM complies with the minimal operational freeboard requirement?
(4) If yes to (1), can the Minister explain why no forfeiture proceedings were implemented and a fine imposed upon the holder?
(5) Is it correct that part of the 2000 Operational Audit report for the Tailings Storage Facilities at the Gidgi Roaster on page 4 states ‘A total of 19 air well pumps have been installed since the previous audit to intercept seepage discharge to the north west of the TSF. Three of these air wells are collecting seepage water immediately under the division wall between the two cells (Photograph 8) and the balance are located on Gidgi west and down gradient of the western flank of the TSF. About 300m
3
/day of seepage water (at 20-50ppm WAD CN) is being recovered and recirculated to the plant’?
(6) If yes, can the Minister state how the figure of 300m
3
/day of seepage water was estimated or calculated and how is the water determined to be seepage water from the tailings facility?
(7) If no to (5), will the Minister state what is on page 4 of the report?
(8) Can the Minister state the amount of seepage water in cubic metres and litres per day that is seeping into the groundwater from the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams and is being recovered through all air well pumps, the production bores all known as the Eastern Borefield located around the Fimston I and Fimiston II tailings dams?
(9) If not, why not given that it can be estimated at the Gidgi Tailings dams?
(10) Is it correct that the Annual Operational Audits for all the tailings dams produced by Golder Associates and other reports produced by Hydrogeologists, and Geotechnical Engineers are submitted to the Department as evidence of compliance with the
Mining Act 1978
and Regulations and
Mines Safety and Inspection Act
and Regulations?
(11) If yes, why are all of these reports considered to be evidence of compliance for the various Acts administered by the Department?
(12) If no to (10), why are all of these reports not considered to be evidence of compliance for the various Acts administered by the Department and what are the reasons for these reports being submitted to the Department?
(1) Has KCGM or the holders of the tenements covering the Fimiston II tailings dams breached any of the tenement conditions in not complying with the minimal operational freeboard requirement in 1996, 1997 and 2000?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Will the Minister or the Department impose tenement conditions under the
Mining Act
upon all the tenements covering the Fimiston I, Fimiston II and Gidgi tailings dams to ensure that KCGM complies with the minimal operational freeboard requirement?
(4) If yes to (1), can the Minister explain why no forfeiture proceedings were implemented and a fine imposed upon the holder?
(5) Is it correct that part of the 2000 Operational Audit report for the Tailings Storage Facilities at the Gidgi Roaster on page 4 states ‘A total of 19 air well pumps have been installed since the previous audit to intercept seepage discharge to the north west of the TSF. Three of these air wells are collecting seepage water immediately under the division wall between the two cells (Photograph 8) and the balance are located on Gidgi west and down gradient of the western flank of the TSF. About 300m
3
/day of seepage water (at 20-50ppm WAD CN) is being recovered and recirculated to the plant’?
(6) If yes, can the Minister state how the figure of 300m
3
/day of seepage water was estimated or calculated and how is the water determined to be seepage water from the tailings facility?
(7) If no to (5), will the Minister state what is on page 4 of the report?
(8) Can the Minister state the amount of seepage water in cubic metres and litres per day that is seeping into the groundwater from the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams and is being recovered through all air well pumps, the production bores all known as the Eastern Borefield located around the Fimston I and Fimiston II tailings dams?
(9) If not, why not given that it can be estimated at the Gidgi Tailings dams?
(10) Is it correct that the Annual Operational Audits for all the tailings dams produced by Golder Associates and other reports produced by Hydrogeologists, and Geotechnical Engineers are submitted to the Department as evidence of compliance with the
Mining Act 1978
and Regulations and
Mines Safety and Inspection Act
and Regulations?
(11) If yes, why are all of these reports considered to be evidence of compliance for the various Acts administered by the Department?
(12) If no to (10), why are all of these reports not considered to be evidence of compliance for the various Acts administered by the Department and what are the reasons for these reports being submitted to the Department?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 May 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
36 days
The issues raised by the Hon Member's questions have in many cases been raised and answered before. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is investigating the issues. The Minister for State Development will provide a written answer to the Hon Member when the Department's investigation is complete.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is investigating the issues. The Minister for State Development will provide a written answer to the Hon Member when the Department's investigation is complete.
The Minister for State Development will provide a written answer to the Hon Member when the Department's investigation is complete.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is investigating the issues. The Minister for State Development will provide a written answer to the Hon Member when the Department's investigation is complete.
The Minister for State Development will provide a written answer to the Hon Member when the Department's investigation is complete.
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