❓ Hon Giz Watson raises concerns about mining health and safety, referencing historical reports and a letter detailing dust pollution complaints from residents near the KCGM Fimiston Pit. The Minister acknowledges the issues, provides some information, and tables the requested letter, but declines to publish the older report online.
AnsweredQoN 4922Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the following documents: the
Sunday Times
article on page eight, 6 May 2007, titled: ‘Mining health record slated’; the ‘Review of Environmental and Public Safety Impacts of Mining in the Kalgoorlie area’ authored by Associate Professor Tony Cooke, dated January 2004, and a letter I understand is dated on or about 18 April 1995 from the Health Department of Western Australia signed by Andrew Penman, Executive Director Public Health, addressed to Mr Jim Torlach, State Mining Engineer titled ‘KCGM Fimiston Pit Operations’, I ask -
(1) Is it correct that the Kelly report dated 1991, referred to in the
Sunday Times
article dated 6 May 2007, in part states the following, ‘The circumstances that I have described relating the dust problem at the EMU mine suggest very strongly to me that the lack of resolution that was evident in the case of Wittenoom still plagues the inspectorate. One can only speculate as to extent to which the dust problem existed between inspections, but the frequency with which it was found to exist when inspections were made suggests that the efforts of the inspectors did not produce long lasting results. That must have been clear to them at the time as it is now’?
(2) If no to (1), can the Minister quote the full text from this Kelly Report dated 1991?
(3) Will the Minister make the Kelly Report 1991 publicly available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website so any member of the public can read the report?
(4) Is it correct that the Health Department of Western Australia wrote to the State Mining Engineer on or about 18 April 1995 with a letter titled ‘KCGM Fimiston Pit Operations’ which in part states the following, ‘I understand that the Residents Committee has complained to Government on a number of occasions over the last five years to both the Department of Minerals and Energy and the Environmental Protection Authority. It had been alleged that the mine is operating in contravention of section 98 of the
Mines Act
which prohibits the creation of health hazards and nuisances to the public as a result of operations on a mining tenement … Mr Baker has complained that to date these approaches have not met with any success. He has provided me with photographs which indicate that the dust is pervasive and heavily infiltrates dwellings. I am concerned about the impact of these pollutants on the living conditions of residents. As your department is, I understand, responsible for the abatement of nuisances and pollution, I would appreciate if you would formally reinvestigate the issues with a view to a solution to the residents problems’?
(5) If no to (4), will the Minister quote the full text from the letter dated on or about 18 April 1995?
(6) Will the Minister table a copy of the letter dated on or about 18 April 1995 from the Health Department of Western Australia signed by Andrew Penman, Executive Director Public Health addressed to Mr Jim Torlach, State Mining Engineer?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
Sunday Times
article on page eight, 6 May 2007, titled: ‘Mining health record slated’; the ‘Review of Environmental and Public Safety Impacts of Mining in the Kalgoorlie area’ authored by Associate Professor Tony Cooke, dated January 2004, and a letter I understand is dated on or about 18 April 1995 from the Health Department of Western Australia signed by Andrew Penman, Executive Director Public Health, addressed to Mr Jim Torlach, State Mining Engineer titled ‘KCGM Fimiston Pit Operations’, I ask -
(1) Is it correct that the Kelly report dated 1991, referred to in the
Sunday Times
article dated 6 May 2007, in part states the following, ‘The circumstances that I have described relating the dust problem at the EMU mine suggest very strongly to me that the lack of resolution that was evident in the case of Wittenoom still plagues the inspectorate. One can only speculate as to extent to which the dust problem existed between inspections, but the frequency with which it was found to exist when inspections were made suggests that the efforts of the inspectors did not produce long lasting results. That must have been clear to them at the time as it is now’?
(2) If no to (1), can the Minister quote the full text from this Kelly Report dated 1991?
(3) Will the Minister make the Kelly Report 1991 publicly available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website so any member of the public can read the report?
(4) Is it correct that the Health Department of Western Australia wrote to the State Mining Engineer on or about 18 April 1995 with a letter titled ‘KCGM Fimiston Pit Operations’ which in part states the following, ‘I understand that the Residents Committee has complained to Government on a number of occasions over the last five years to both the Department of Minerals and Energy and the Environmental Protection Authority. It had been alleged that the mine is operating in contravention of section 98 of the
Mines Act
which prohibits the creation of health hazards and nuisances to the public as a result of operations on a mining tenement … Mr Baker has complained that to date these approaches have not met with any success. He has provided me with photographs which indicate that the dust is pervasive and heavily infiltrates dwellings. I am concerned about the impact of these pollutants on the living conditions of residents. As your department is, I understand, responsible for the abatement of nuisances and pollution, I would appreciate if you would formally reinvestigate the issues with a view to a solution to the residents problems’?
(5) If no to (4), will the Minister quote the full text from the letter dated on or about 18 April 1995?
(6) Will the Minister table a copy of the letter dated on or about 18 April 1995 from the Health Department of Western Australia signed by Andrew Penman, Executive Director Public Health addressed to Mr Jim Torlach, State Mining Engineer?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 June 2007
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Employment Protection
Response time
30 days
This question includes matters under the portfolios of the Minister for Resources and the Minister for Environment and it is suggested that those aspects be referred to the appropriate Minister. (1) Yes. This reference appears as the third paragraph on p.87 of volume 1 of the report. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. This reference appears as the third paragraph on p.87 of volume 1 of the report. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. This reference appears as the third paragraph on p.87 of volume 1 of the report. (2) Not applicable. (3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(3) The Kelly Report of 1991 is of historical interest, given the date on which it was delivered and the fact that it refers to and is concerned with a previous administrative regime for mine safety and to now-repealed legislation. A copy will be available in State archives for the information of persons who are interested in it. It is not proposed to make it available on the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection website. (4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(4) Yes. (5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(6) I table a copy of the letter of 18 April 1995 as requested. See Tabled Paper No: (7) Not applicable.
(7) Not applicable.
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