❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses sulphur dioxide emissions in Kalgoorlie, specifically focusing on Karkurla Park and potential breaches of environmental regulations by mining companies, particularly Barrick (Kanowna). The Minister's response clarifies exceedances and actions taken.
AnsweredQoN 4963Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is it correct that complaints in May 2007 of a thick fog and sulphur smells in Karkurla Park were confirmed by information provided by KCGM on behalf of the Kalgoorlie Air Monitoring Network?
(2) If no to (1), what is correct?
(3) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation ascertained the predominant cause of the sulphur dioxide emissions in May 2007?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), which company predominantly contributed to the sulphur dioxide complaints which occurred in May 2007?
(6) Will the company be prosecuted for breaching licence conditions or any other section of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
for causing elevated sulphur dioxide emissions in Kalgoorlie in the month of May 2007?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Can the Minister state what KCGM has specifically done after the May 2005 sulphur dioxide licence exceedence which occurred two years earlier, to prevent any further breaches of licence conditions or breaches to the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Can the Minister state the quantity of sulphur dioxide that was detected at monitoring stations in May 2007, and how this figure relates to the legal Environmental Protection Policy limit and standard?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(2) If no to (1), what is correct?
(3) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation ascertained the predominant cause of the sulphur dioxide emissions in May 2007?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) If yes to (3), which company predominantly contributed to the sulphur dioxide complaints which occurred in May 2007?
(6) Will the company be prosecuted for breaching licence conditions or any other section of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
for causing elevated sulphur dioxide emissions in Kalgoorlie in the month of May 2007?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Can the Minister state what KCGM has specifically done after the May 2005 sulphur dioxide licence exceedence which occurred two years earlier, to prevent any further breaches of licence conditions or breaches to the
Environmental Protection Act 1986
?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Can the Minister state the quantity of sulphur dioxide that was detected at monitoring stations in May 2007, and how this figure relates to the legal Environmental Protection Policy limit and standard?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 August 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
49 days
(1) Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, BHP Billiton and Barrick Gold (Kanowna) confirmed that on 22 May 2007, sulphur dioxide was measured at 0.239 parts per million (ppm). This is greater than the 0.2ppm standard, which can not be exceeded more than twice in 2007, but is less than the 0.25ppm limit.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) DEC is reviewing information available for the event. Current indications are that Barrick (Kanowna) predominately contributed to the event.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) See the answer to (3).
(6) At this stage no investigation by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is underway as no breach of licence conditions is considered to have occurred.
(7) No breach of licence conditions is determined to have occurred. The licence conditions state that the 0.2ppm standard cannot be exceeded more than twice in 2007. The number of times the standard of 0.2ppm can be exceeded has been reduced from three exceedances in 2004, and will be reduced to one exceedance in 2008.
(8) DEC understands that KCGM has improved its air quality management strategy in response to the 2005 event. In addition, the Kalgoorlie Air Monitoring Network is installing additional air quality monitoring equipment near Coolgardie to measure wind speeds and direction.
(9) Not applicable.
(10) See the answer to (1).
(11) Not applicable.
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(2) Not applicable.
(3) DEC is reviewing information available for the event. Current indications are that Barrick (Kanowna) predominately contributed to the event.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) See the answer to (3).
(6) At this stage no investigation by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is underway as no breach of licence conditions is considered to have occurred.
(7) No breach of licence conditions is determined to have occurred. The licence conditions state that the 0.2ppm standard cannot be exceeded more than twice in 2007. The number of times the standard of 0.2ppm can be exceeded has been reduced from three exceedances in 2004, and will be reduced to one exceedance in 2008.
(8) DEC understands that KCGM has improved its air quality management strategy in response to the 2005 event. In addition, the Kalgoorlie Air Monitoring Network is installing additional air quality monitoring equipment near Coolgardie to measure wind speeds and direction.
(9) Not applicable.
(10) See the answer to (1).
(11) Not applicable.
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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