❓ A parliamentary question regarding the rehabilitation of the abandoned Black Prince gold mine site in Kondinin, Western Australia, reveals a lack of bonding and departmental oversight. The Department is investigating environmental liabilities and future rehabilitation plans.
AnsweredQoN 4819Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the old Black Prince gold mine-site in Exploration Lease 77/1966 in the shire of Kondinin, and ask -
(1) What was the date that the operator of this mine ceased operation?
(2) Who was the operator of this mine-site that left it in this condition?
(3) Is the site to be rehabilitated?
(4) If yes to (3), when?
(5) If yes to (3), by whom?
(6) If yes to (3), with what funds?
(7) Who is the lessee of Exploration Lease 77/1966 and what roll, if any, will they play in the rehabilitation of the old Black Prince gold mine-site?
(8) Was a bond held by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) over the old Black Prince gold mine-site?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) If yes to (8), what was the extent of the bond?
(11) If yes to (8), will the bond cover the rehabilitation of the site?
(12) Were regular checks carried out by the DMP on this mine during its life?
(13) Why did the department allow this site to deteriorate to this condition during the life of the mine?
(1) What was the date that the operator of this mine ceased operation?
(2) Who was the operator of this mine-site that left it in this condition?
(3) Is the site to be rehabilitated?
(4) If yes to (3), when?
(5) If yes to (3), by whom?
(6) If yes to (3), with what funds?
(7) Who is the lessee of Exploration Lease 77/1966 and what roll, if any, will they play in the rehabilitation of the old Black Prince gold mine-site?
(8) Was a bond held by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) over the old Black Prince gold mine-site?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) If yes to (8), what was the extent of the bond?
(11) If yes to (8), will the bond cover the rehabilitation of the site?
(12) Were regular checks carried out by the DMP on this mine during its life?
(13) Why did the department allow this site to deteriorate to this condition during the life of the mine?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 November 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
23 days
(1) The old Black Prince gold mine site was operated under Mining Lease M77/1014. M77/1014 was forfeited on 9 October 2009. The pending application for Exploration Licence 77/1966 was applied for on 3 June 2011 and includes all ground previously covered by M77/1014.
(2) Kairiki Energy Ltd was the tenement holder when M77/1014 was forfeited.
(3) The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is currently investigating the environmental liabilities associated with the site with the intent of determining the appropriate nature and costs of any rehabilitation. Once this investigation is complete DMP will be able to determine what rehabilitation is required, the costs and who will be undertaking and funding the rehabilitation.
(4) - (6) See answer 3.
(7) The applicant for Exploration Licence 77/1966 is Wirraway Metals and Mining Pty Ltd. There is no requirement for Wirraway Metals and Mining Pty Ltd to rehabilitate the existing mine disturbance on E77/1966 if this licence is granted.
(8) There was no bond held for the Mining Lease 77/1014.
(9) DMP processes at the time, over ten years ago, failed to pick up on the fact that mining had commenced, therefore no bond was requested.
(10) - (11) Not applicable.
(12) The site was inspected by Environmental Officers from the Department responsible for the
Mining Act 1978,
in 2001, 2007 and 2011.
(13) DMP had taken actions to improve the environmental performance on the mine site, including providing directions to the tenement holder and imposing additional environmental conditions on M77/1014. As a result of non?compliance DMP commenced forfeiture action against the tenement holder.
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(2) Kairiki Energy Ltd was the tenement holder when M77/1014 was forfeited.
(3) The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is currently investigating the environmental liabilities associated with the site with the intent of determining the appropriate nature and costs of any rehabilitation. Once this investigation is complete DMP will be able to determine what rehabilitation is required, the costs and who will be undertaking and funding the rehabilitation.
(4) - (6) See answer 3.
(7) The applicant for Exploration Licence 77/1966 is Wirraway Metals and Mining Pty Ltd. There is no requirement for Wirraway Metals and Mining Pty Ltd to rehabilitate the existing mine disturbance on E77/1966 if this licence is granted.
(8) There was no bond held for the Mining Lease 77/1014.
(9) DMP processes at the time, over ten years ago, failed to pick up on the fact that mining had commenced, therefore no bond was requested.
(10) - (11) Not applicable.
(12) The site was inspected by Environmental Officers from the Department responsible for the
Mining Act 1978,
in 2001, 2007 and 2011.
(13) DMP had taken actions to improve the environmental performance on the mine site, including providing directions to the tenement holder and imposing additional environmental conditions on M77/1014. As a result of non?compliance DMP commenced forfeiture action against the tenement holder.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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