❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the safety and management of radioactive ore stockpiles at the former Yeelirrie uranium mine, focusing on potential environmental and animal welfare concerns. The response outlines existing agreements, planned rehabilitation, and current management practices by WMC Resources Ltd.
AnsweredQoN 298Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore that is stored at the former proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine, and the Labor Party’s commitment in their Environment Platform, Keeping Western Australia nuclear free, that they would ‘ensure that residual stockpiles from post exploration and mining activities are made safe’ -
(1) Will these stockpiles of uranium bearing ore be allowed to remain on the surface at this site?
(2) If yes to (1), why not?
(3) Will the uranium bearing ore be reburied?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Will the site be rehabilitated?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Will the stockpiles of calcrete ore be allowed to remain uncovered?
(8) If yes to (7), why?
(9) Will the practice of allowing native animals and stock to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and drink from the water in the pits be stopped?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(1) Will these stockpiles of uranium bearing ore be allowed to remain on the surface at this site?
(2) If yes to (1), why not?
(3) Will the uranium bearing ore be reburied?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Will the site be rehabilitated?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Will the stockpiles of calcrete ore be allowed to remain uncovered?
(8) If yes to (7), why?
(9) Will the practice of allowing native animals and stock to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and drink from the water in the pits be stopped?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 December 2001
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
29 days
1. Yes 2. Under the Uranium (Yeelirrie) Agreement Act 1978 (the State Agreement), WMC Resources Limited (WMC) has the right to submit proposals for the development of its project up to 30 June 2002. The stockpiled ore may be required for further testing by the Company as part of the preparation of development proposals. It is therefore premature to bury stockpiled ore at this time. 3. As part of usual project closure, any remaining uranium bearing ore that is then on the surface at the site will be reburied. 4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
2. Under the Uranium (Yeelirrie) Agreement Act 1978 (the State Agreement), WMC Resources Limited (WMC) has the right to submit proposals for the development of its project up to 30 June 2002. The stockpiled ore may be required for further testing by the Company as part of the preparation of development proposals. It is therefore premature to bury stockpiled ore at this time. 3. As part of usual project closure, any remaining uranium bearing ore that is then on the surface at the site will be reburied. 4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
3. As part of usual project closure, any remaining uranium bearing ore that is then on the surface at the site will be reburied. 4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
10. Not applicable.
2. Under the Uranium (Yeelirrie) Agreement Act 1978 (the State Agreement), WMC Resources Limited (WMC) has the right to submit proposals for the development of its project up to 30 June 2002. The stockpiled ore may be required for further testing by the Company as part of the preparation of development proposals. It is therefore premature to bury stockpiled ore at this time. 3. As part of usual project closure, any remaining uranium bearing ore that is then on the surface at the site will be reburied. 4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
3. As part of usual project closure, any remaining uranium bearing ore that is then on the surface at the site will be reburied. 4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable. 5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
5. Yes. 6. Not applicable. 7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
7. Yes. 8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
8. Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. 9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
9 The Minister for State Development has been advised that WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, has a practise of managing the prevention of access by stock and fauna. Fencing is maintained to a high standard for these purposes and the area is destocked. Further, the water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to stock and wildlife. 10. Not applicable.
10. Not applicable.
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