❓ A parliamentary question regarding environmental non-compliance by FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd at several mining sites in the East Pilbara, and DMIRS's response. The response indicates the non-compliances were considered minor and have been rectified.
AnsweredQoN 1303Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent Auditor General’s report, Compliance with Mining Environmental Conditions (audit.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Report-11_Compliance-with-Mining-Environmental-Conditions.pdf) and the report’s case study, which states that "DMIRS took no action on multiple breaches over 2021-22 by an established operator. Non-compliances included disturbing land outside of approved areas, improper construction of retaining walls, not burying hazardous material within 24 hours and not cleaning oil spills in a timely manner. DMIRS issued a letter of education to the operator for drilling under an expired approval and a warning for drilling in an unapproved area." I ask: (a) which company was issued with the letter of education and warning; (b) what is the location of the non-compliant site or sites; (c) is the company still operating at this site; (d) why has the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation Safety (DMIRS) not taken any financial penalty or prosecution action against the company; (e) has the company corrected and rehabilitated the identified non-compliances, including the improper retaining wall, exposed hazardous material and oil spills; (f) if yes to (e), when was this work completed; and (g) is DMIRS monitoring this operator to ensure it does not conduct further non-compliant and environmentally damaging activities?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 May 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
9 days
(a) FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd.
(b) Exploration Licence 47/1832, E47/1333, Mining Lease 47/1523 and M47/1524 in the East Pilbara.
(c) Yes.
(d) The non-compliances were considered minor in scale and impact. The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety did not consider that forfeiture action was appropriate.
(e) Yes.
(f) April 2022.
(g) Yes.
(b) Exploration Licence 47/1832, E47/1333, Mining Lease 47/1523 and M47/1524 in the East Pilbara.
(c) Yes.
(d) The non-compliances were considered minor in scale and impact. The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety did not consider that forfeiture action was appropriate.
(e) Yes.
(f) April 2022.
(g) Yes.
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