❓ A parliamentary question probes water consumption in the Pilbara region, focusing on mining and LNG industries, water allocation plans, and desalination efforts. The response provides some data but acknowledges limitations in available information.
AnsweredQoN 2996Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to water consumption at various locations in the Pilbara and the Pilbara Regional Water Plan 2010-2030, I ask -
(1) Is it correct that there are currently no water allocation plans for the Pilbara?
(2) If yes to (1) why not?
(3) Is it correct that total mining water use in 2008 was estimated at 127 GL/yr?
(4) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is used in the minerals processing of various minerals, by corporation?
(5) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is used in the dust suppression of various minerals, by corporation?
(6) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is not used but released as a result of dewatering associated with various minerals, by corporation?
(7) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is used by the LNG industry, by corporation?
(8) How much water is currently produced by desalinisation across the region?
(9) Of the water produced in respect of the answer to (8), which corporations use this water?
(10) Of the water used in respect to (4), (5), (7), and (9), what are the charges for water used by these industries?
(1) Is it correct that there are currently no water allocation plans for the Pilbara?
(2) If yes to (1) why not?
(3) Is it correct that total mining water use in 2008 was estimated at 127 GL/yr?
(4) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is used in the minerals processing of various minerals, by corporation?
(5) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is used in the dust suppression of various minerals, by corporation?
(6) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is not used but released as a result of dewatering associated with various minerals, by corporation?
(7) Of the 127 GL/yr how much by volume and percentage, is used by the LNG industry, by corporation?
(8) How much water is currently produced by desalinisation across the region?
(9) Of the water produced in respect of the answer to (8), which corporations use this water?
(10) Of the water used in respect to (4), (5), (7), and (9), what are the charges for water used by these industries?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2010
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Water
Response time
23 days
(1) - (2) The Department of Water (DoW) is currently developing a water allocation plan for the Pilbara that is scheduled for completion in 2012.
(3) No. The 127 GL/yr estimate is related to 2007.
(4) - (6) Information on water licences contained in the Register of instruments (Water Licence Register), as provided for under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, is freely available from the Department of Water website at www.water.wa.gov.au
The Department of Water advises it is not possible to provide a breakdown of data as requested, as this information is not available in the Register and details on the type of mineral processed is not recorded.
However ,the following aggregated data, as of 18 November 2010, can be provided:
? 62.56 Gigalitres of water is used in mine processing, being 31.2% of total licensed water used in mining;
? 127.4 Gigalitres of water is used in dewatering, being 63.4% of total licensed water used in mining; and
? 0.3 Gigalitres of water is used in dust suppression, being 0.15% of total licensed water used in mining.
(7) There are no water licences granted to the LNG industry in the Pilbara Groundwater Area.
(8) The Water Corporation has one desalination plant in the Pilbara Region which supplies water to Burrup Fertilisers under a confidential commercial agreement.
Other desalination plants may exist in the region, however the Water Corporation is not associated with them.
(9) See 8
(10) In the State of WA water licenses are granted to assist the State to monitor, manage and regulate water resources. Licensees are not charged on a volumetric basis for water.
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(3) No. The 127 GL/yr estimate is related to 2007.
(4) - (6) Information on water licences contained in the Register of instruments (Water Licence Register), as provided for under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, is freely available from the Department of Water website at www.water.wa.gov.au
The Department of Water advises it is not possible to provide a breakdown of data as requested, as this information is not available in the Register and details on the type of mineral processed is not recorded.
However ,the following aggregated data, as of 18 November 2010, can be provided:
? 62.56 Gigalitres of water is used in mine processing, being 31.2% of total licensed water used in mining;
? 127.4 Gigalitres of water is used in dewatering, being 63.4% of total licensed water used in mining; and
? 0.3 Gigalitres of water is used in dust suppression, being 0.15% of total licensed water used in mining.
(7) There are no water licences granted to the LNG industry in the Pilbara Groundwater Area.
(8) The Water Corporation has one desalination plant in the Pilbara Region which supplies water to Burrup Fertilisers under a confidential commercial agreement.
Other desalination plants may exist in the region, however the Water Corporation is not associated with them.
(9) See 8
(10) In the State of WA water licenses are granted to assist the State to monitor, manage and regulate water resources. Licensees are not charged on a volumetric basis for water.
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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