❓ A parliamentary question addresses PCB contamination at Wittenoom asbestos mine sites, inquiring about cleanup plans, testing, and responsible parties. The answer outlines planned removal of facilities, ongoing negotiations, and the tenement holders' responsibility, but lacks specific testing details.
AnsweredQoN 50Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) contamination of waste oil at the various Wittenoom Asbestos mine sites -
(1) Do plans exist for the cleanup of surface facilities and contaminated areas at the sites of the Wittenoom Asbestos mines?
(2) If yes to question (1), when are these operations intended to commence?
(3) If yes to question (1), who is the contractor for the cleanup?
(4) Who, if any party, has tested the unmarked oil drums and other oil residues on site for evidence of PCB contamination?
(5) If such tests of these drums and residues were carried out, what were the results?
(6) If these tests have not been carried out to date, can the Minister guarantee that accredited sampling personnel will assess the waste oil on site for PCB contamination?
(7) If yes to question (5), when will these tests occur?
(8) If no to question (5), why not?
(1) Do plans exist for the cleanup of surface facilities and contaminated areas at the sites of the Wittenoom Asbestos mines?
(2) If yes to question (1), when are these operations intended to commence?
(3) If yes to question (1), who is the contractor for the cleanup?
(4) Who, if any party, has tested the unmarked oil drums and other oil residues on site for evidence of PCB contamination?
(5) If such tests of these drums and residues were carried out, what were the results?
(6) If these tests have not been carried out to date, can the Minister guarantee that accredited sampling personnel will assess the waste oil on site for PCB contamination?
(7) If yes to question (5), when will these tests occur?
(8) If no to question (5), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 June 2001
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
26 days
(1) Yes, plans exist for the removal of buildings, plant and equipment from the Wittenoom Mine Sites. (2) Negotiations are currently underway between the Government and the Mining Tenement Holders regarding this work. Pending a successful outcome of these negotiations work would commence in the second half of 2001. The current tenement holders are Westraint Resources Pty Ltd and Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd. (3) It would be the responsibility of the current mining tenement holders to engage any contractors for this work. (4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(2) Negotiations are currently underway between the Government and the Mining Tenement Holders regarding this work. Pending a successful outcome of these negotiations work would commence in the second half of 2001. The current tenement holders are Westraint Resources Pty Ltd and Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd. (3) It would be the responsibility of the current mining tenement holders to engage any contractors for this work. (4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(3) It would be the responsibility of the current mining tenement holders to engage any contractors for this work. (4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable.
(2) Negotiations are currently underway between the Government and the Mining Tenement Holders regarding this work. Pending a successful outcome of these negotiations work would commence in the second half of 2001. The current tenement holders are Westraint Resources Pty Ltd and Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd. (3) It would be the responsibility of the current mining tenement holders to engage any contractors for this work. (4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(3) It would be the responsibility of the current mining tenement holders to engage any contractors for this work. (4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(4) It is not known if any tests have been carried out on unmarked oil drums and other oil residues for evidence of PCB contamination. As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
As part of the requirements of the Part 42 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulation 3.13 Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 issues such as PCB testing and disposal would need to be addressed by the Principal Employer as part of a Project Management Plan. Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
Before giving his approval the State Mining Engineer would assess the Project Management Plan required under Regulation 3.13 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations. In particular Regulation 3.13(b) requires that the Project Management Plan include a broad assessment of the major risks associated with the mine and a summary of the strategies proposed to manage those risks. (5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(6) The likely contractor for removal of buildings, plant and equipment from site is aware of the drums and other oil residues on site and the need to test for PCB's prior to removal. If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
If the drums are found to contain PCB's the contractor is licenced to dispose of PCB's and has extensive experience in the handling and transport of PCB's for disposal. (7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(7) Sometime in the second half 2001. (8) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable.
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