❓ Hon Julie Freeman questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding rehabilitation obligations at Image Resources' Boonanarring mine, specifically concerning safeguards, prolonged care and maintenance, and assurances against deferred rehabilitation. The Minister's response outlines existing regulations and ongoing processes.
AnsweredQoN 1018Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Boonanarring mine—Rehabilitation1018.Hon Julie Freemanto
theminister representing the Minister for Mines
and Petroleum:I refer to Image
Resources' Boonanarring mine in the Shire of Gingin, featured on last week'sFour Cornersprogram, that has been in care and
maintenance since August 2023 while unrehabilitated lots are reportedly being
sold as the company pushes ahead with its Atlas and Bidaminna projects.(1) What safeguards are in place to ensure that mining
companies meet their rehabilitation obligations rather than forfeiting
environmental bonds or selling land without rehabilitation?(2) Why has Image Resources been permitted to keep
Boonanarring in prolonged care and maintenance while advancing new projects
elsewhere?(3) What assurances can the minister give that
this pattern of progressing new operations while deferring rehabilitation at
previous sites will not continue?
theminister representing the Minister for Mines
and Petroleum:I refer to Image
Resources' Boonanarring mine in the Shire of Gingin, featured on last week'sFour Cornersprogram, that has been in care and
maintenance since August 2023 while unrehabilitated lots are reportedly being
sold as the company pushes ahead with its Atlas and Bidaminna projects.(1) What safeguards are in place to ensure that mining
companies meet their rehabilitation obligations rather than forfeiting
environmental bonds or selling land without rehabilitation?(2) Why has Image Resources been permitted to keep
Boonanarring in prolonged care and maintenance while advancing new projects
elsewhere?(3) What assurances can the minister give that
this pattern of progressing new operations while deferring rehabilitation at
previous sites will not continue?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 November 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.(1) Under theMining
Act 1978, liability for rehabilitation continues if a tenement is
surrendered or forfeited. Tenement holders must also continue contributing to
the Mine Rehabilitation Fund wherein rehabilitation obligations remain post-surrender.
When tenements are sold, all associated liabilities transfer to the new holder.
Additionally, the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration conducts
environmental inspections to ensure compliance with these obligations.(2)–(3) Tenement holders may place a mine
under care and maintenance for various reasons, such as fluctuations in
commodity demand, economic conditions or the need to explore technological
solutions to address metallurgical challenges. During this period, they must
continue to meet all environmental and reporting obligations. Image Resources
is currently updating its mine closure plan, which will outline post-mining
land use options, incorporate stakeholder engagement outcomes and define
completion criteria for government review and approval. Implementing final
rehabilitation would not be appropriate until that agreement has been reached.
Boonanarring mine—Rehabilitation
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.(1) Under theMining
Act 1978, liability for rehabilitation continues if a tenement is
surrendered or forfeited. Tenement holders must also continue contributing to
the Mine Rehabilitation Fund wherein rehabilitation obligations remain post-surrender.
When tenements are sold, all associated liabilities transfer to the new holder.
Additionally, the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration conducts
environmental inspections to ensure compliance with these obligations.(2)–(3) Tenement holders may place a mine
under care and maintenance for various reasons, such as fluctuations in
commodity demand, economic conditions or the need to explore technological
solutions to address metallurgical challenges. During this period, they must
continue to meet all environmental and reporting obligations. Image Resources
is currently updating its mine closure plan, which will outline post-mining
land use options, incorporate stakeholder engagement outcomes and define
completion criteria for government review and approval. Implementing final
rehabilitation would not be appropriate until that agreement has been reached.
Boonanarring mine—Rehabilitation
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