Mr. Birney questions the Minister for Resources regarding guidelines and legislation supporting a statement related to tailings storage facilities. The Minister clarifies the current guidelines and refers to the Department of Water's role in water allocation.

AnsweredQoN 2177Legislative Assembly
Asked
5 April 2007
Portfolio
Resources

QuestionView source ↗

(b) If yes, can the Minister quote the specific text of current guidelines, policies and Mining Act 1978 legislation which supports this statement?
(b) If yes, can the Minister explain why?
The Minister for Resources has provided the following response: (1) The 1993 'Guidelines for Preparation of a "Notice of Intent" - Tailings Disposal Facility, Vat Leach, Heap Leach or Extensions to Existing Structures' are no longer in place. The guidelines were revised in 1996 and again in 1999. The 1999 Guidelines are now known as 'Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage'. The 1999 revised Guidelines require facilities to be appropriately managed to minimise adverse environmental impacts. The 1999 revised Guidelines state: "The control of seepage water during the operational and post-operational phases of a tailings storage facility is important to ensure that the stability of the structure is not compromised and to ensure compliance with environmental standards relating to ground and surface water qualities." (a) See (1) above. (2) See (1) above. (a) May 1999. (b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(1) The 1993 'Guidelines for Preparation of a "Notice of Intent" - Tailings Disposal Facility, Vat Leach, Heap Leach or Extensions to Existing Structures' are no longer in place. The guidelines were revised in 1996 and again in 1999. The 1999 Guidelines are now known as 'Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage'. The 1999 revised Guidelines require facilities to be appropriately managed to minimise adverse environmental impacts. The 1999 revised Guidelines state: "The control of seepage water during the operational and post-operational phases of a tailings storage facility is important to ensure that the stability of the structure is not compromised and to ensure compliance with environmental standards relating to ground and surface water qualities." (a) See (1) above. (2) See (1) above. (a) May 1999. (b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
"The control of seepage water during the operational and post-operational phases of a tailings storage facility is important to ensure that the stability of the structure is not compromised and to ensure compliance with environmental standards relating to ground and surface water qualities." (a) See (1) above. (2) See (1) above. (a) May 1999. (b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(a) See (1) above. (2) See (1) above. (a) May 1999. (b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(2) See (1) above. (a) May 1999. (b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(a) May 1999. (b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(b) Not applicable. (3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water. (a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(a) Not applicable. (b) See (3) above
(b) See (3) above

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
8 May 2007
Responded by
Minister for Resources
Response time
33 days
Answer
The Minister for Resources has provided the following response:
(1) The 1993 'Guidelines for Preparation of a "Notice of Intent" - Tailings Disposal Facility, Vat Leach, Heap Leach or Extensions to Existing Structures' are no longer in place. The guidelines were revised in 1996 and again in 1999. The 1999 Guidelines are now known as 'Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage'. The 1999 revised Guidelines require facilities to be appropriately managed to minimise adverse environmental impacts. The 1999 revised Guidelines state:
"The control of seepage water during the operational and post-operational phases of a tailings storage facility is important to ensure that the stability of the structure is not compromised and to ensure compliance with environmental standards relating to ground and surface water qualities."
(a) See (1) above.
(2) See (1) above.
(a) May 1999.
(b) Not applicable.
(3) As indicated on page 9 in the March - May 2007 Prospect publication, the Department of Industry and Resources considers water of any quality to have value. The Department of Water is responsible for decisions on the allocation of water.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) See (3) above

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