❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding firebreak construction by KCGM on Mining Lease 26/353, specifically concerning approvals, ground disturbance, and compliance with mining regulations. The Minister clarifies that firebreak construction was not considered a mining activity, hence no specific approvals were required.
AnsweredQoN 507Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 256 of Thursday, September 27 2001, answers provided and a information sheets produced by the Department of Minerals and Energy titled ‘Firebreaks’ and the other titled
‘Basic Provisions revised as at March 2097,
Number One’ Information series, Mineral Titles Division -
(1) Can the Minister state what is condition number 5 on Mining Lease 26/353?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Can the Minister provide a specific date and table the written consent from the Department approving the construction of a firebreak by a bobcat pushing, disturbing earth and soil and clearing vegetation within 100 metres of 30 Brownhill Road?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Did Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd (KCGM), Normandy Mining or Homestake Gold of Australia lodge a Ground Disturbing Approval Application form
or a Notice of Intent with the Department prior to the construction of the firebreak?
(6) If yes to (5), on what date was it lodged with the Department and then later approved?
(7) If no to (5), why not?
(8) Is it correct that the Information Series Number 1 pamphlet in part states ‘9.5 If the Mining Tenement is granted, the miner must obtain the approval of the Regional Mining Engineer (located at Perth, Kalgoorlie, Karratha) before mechanical equipment is used for purposes such as clearing, girding or costeaning’?
(9) If yes to (8), can the Minister table the written approval provided by the Regional Mining Engineer which gave permission to KCGM to use a bobcat which cleared vegetation and pushed and removed soil?
(10) If no to (8), can the Minister table the entire pamphlet?
(11) Have the holders/operator of Mining Lease 26/353 breached condition number 5 on the Mining Lease?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) If yes to (11), will the Minister or the Department issue forfeiture proceedings and impose a fine?
‘Basic Provisions revised as at March 2097,
Number One’ Information series, Mineral Titles Division -
(1) Can the Minister state what is condition number 5 on Mining Lease 26/353?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Can the Minister provide a specific date and table the written consent from the Department approving the construction of a firebreak by a bobcat pushing, disturbing earth and soil and clearing vegetation within 100 metres of 30 Brownhill Road?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Did Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd (KCGM), Normandy Mining or Homestake Gold of Australia lodge a Ground Disturbing Approval Application form
or a Notice of Intent with the Department prior to the construction of the firebreak?
(6) If yes to (5), on what date was it lodged with the Department and then later approved?
(7) If no to (5), why not?
(8) Is it correct that the Information Series Number 1 pamphlet in part states ‘9.5 If the Mining Tenement is granted, the miner must obtain the approval of the Regional Mining Engineer (located at Perth, Kalgoorlie, Karratha) before mechanical equipment is used for purposes such as clearing, girding or costeaning’?
(9) If yes to (8), can the Minister table the written approval provided by the Regional Mining Engineer which gave permission to KCGM to use a bobcat which cleared vegetation and pushed and removed soil?
(10) If no to (8), can the Minister table the entire pamphlet?
(11) Have the holders/operator of Mining Lease 26/353 breached condition number 5 on the Mining Lease?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) If yes to (11), will the Minister or the Department issue forfeiture proceedings and impose a fine?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
48 days
(1) 'Unless the written approval of the District Mining Engineer, Department of Mines, is first obtained, the use of scrapers, graders, bulldozers, backhoes or other mechanised equipment for surface disturbance or the excavation of costeans is prohibited. Following approval, all topsoil being removed ahead of mining operations and separately stockpiled for replacement after backfilling and/or completion of operations'. (2) Not applicable. (3) & (4) No approval was given because the activity of clearing firebreaks was not considered to be an exploration or mining activity. (5), (6) & (7) No. Because the activity was not an exploration or mining activity. (8) Yes, however the pamphlet relates only to exploration and mining activities. (9) & (10) Not applicable. (11) No. (12) See 3 and 4 above and the answer given regarding Legislative Council question on notice No256 of Thursday, September 27 2001. (13) Not applicable.
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