❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Department of Industry and Resources regarding the use and protection of super-saline groundwater in the Goldfields, particularly concerning its potential for both mineral processing and drinking water, referencing a recent departmental publication and a previous question on notice.
AnsweredQoN 4713Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to Question on Notice number 3640, 13 June 2006 and the March – May 2007 ‘
Prospect’
Magazine published by the Department of Industry and Resources with references stating ‘Water, the potential impact of climate change and lower rainfall on the resources sector’ and the article titled ‘WA water challenges are nothing new’, I ask -
(1) Can the Minister state what justified the Department of Industry and Resources to state in the article titled ‘WA water challenges are nothing new’ that ‘Large water boring and condenser plants were subsequently established around Coolgardie and other places on the Goldfields to turn super-saline and brackish ground water into a liquid suitable for mineral processing and also for drinking purposes’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Does the Department of Industry and Resources regard super saline ground water around Coolgardie and many other places on the Eastern Goldfields as a potential resource which can be used for mineral processing by mining companies and also for drinking purposes by pastoralists and other users?
(4) If yes to (3), why?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Can the Minister advise what specific policies, guidelines produced by the Department of Industry and Resources,
Mining Act 1978
and Regulations are for super-saline ground water, which firstly recognise this as a important resource, and secondly, regardless of its quality, respect that contamination is to be prevented at all times so this water can be used for drinking purposes by pastoralists and other users just as it was in the early 1890s?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
Prospect’
Magazine published by the Department of Industry and Resources with references stating ‘Water, the potential impact of climate change and lower rainfall on the resources sector’ and the article titled ‘WA water challenges are nothing new’, I ask -
(1) Can the Minister state what justified the Department of Industry and Resources to state in the article titled ‘WA water challenges are nothing new’ that ‘Large water boring and condenser plants were subsequently established around Coolgardie and other places on the Goldfields to turn super-saline and brackish ground water into a liquid suitable for mineral processing and also for drinking purposes’?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Does the Department of Industry and Resources regard super saline ground water around Coolgardie and many other places on the Eastern Goldfields as a potential resource which can be used for mineral processing by mining companies and also for drinking purposes by pastoralists and other users?
(4) If yes to (3), why?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Can the Minister advise what specific policies, guidelines produced by the Department of Industry and Resources,
Mining Act 1978
and Regulations are for super-saline ground water, which firstly recognise this as a important resource, and secondly, regardless of its quality, respect that contamination is to be prevented at all times so this water can be used for drinking purposes by pastoralists and other users just as it was in the early 1890s?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 May 2007
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Resources
Response time
55 days
The Minister for Resources has provided the following response: (1) The Department of Industry and Resources advises this comment reflects information obtained from several sources, including past Annual Reports of the Department of Mines and information from the Geological Survey of WA from the 1890's. (2) Not applicable. (3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(1) The Department of Industry and Resources advises this comment reflects information obtained from several sources, including past Annual Reports of the Department of Mines and information from the Geological Survey of WA from the 1890's. (2) Not applicable. (3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable.
(1) The Department of Industry and Resources advises this comment reflects information obtained from several sources, including past Annual Reports of the Department of Mines and information from the Geological Survey of WA from the 1890's. (2) Not applicable. (3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(3) & (4) As indicated on page 9 of 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. (5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(6) Existing policies and guidelines released by the Department of Industry and Resources relate to the protection of all water sources and are not specific to super saline groundwater. The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
The Guidelines issued refer to compliance with environmental standards including those provisions under Division 5 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 relating to the discharge of water from mine sites. The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
The following guidelines and legislation overseen by the Department of Industry and Resources address water quality protection: · DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· DoIR Environmental Note on Acid Mine Drainage 2006 · DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· DoIR Guidelines for Safe Design and Operating Standards for Tailings Storage May 1999 · DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· DoIR Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia 2006 · Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
· Mining Regulations 1981, Part V, Division 6: Miscellaneous (7) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable.
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