❓ A parliamentary question alleges the Department of Industry and Resources is concealing environmental damage caused by KCGM mine seepage and obstructing investigation requests. The Minister denies any such attempt or obstruction.
AnsweredQoN 1382Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter dated October 16 2003 signed by Mr Jim Limerick, Director General Department of Industry and Resources addressed to Mr S. Kean -
(1) Is the Director General or any other officers within the Department of Industry and Resources attempting to conceal or cover up for KCGM (Barrick Mines and Newmont Mining) causing significant environmental damage as a consequence of seepage of mine water and pollutants from the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams which has been alleged as a current breaches of the
Mining Act
and Regulations and other legislation since March 13 2003 and having to take enforcement action as requested by Mr S. Kean, given that there is clear visual evidence of it occurring, as also identified by Mr Tony Cooke an independent person in which Mr S. Kean has specifically asked for the department to investigate it with him present along with reports, correspondence etc?
(2) If no to (1), why has the department been deliberately so obstructive and uncooperative since March 13 2003 a period of over seven months to simply investigate this environmental damage along with reports, correspondence etc with a view to taking enforcement action as requested by Mr S. Kean?
(3) If yes to (1), why?
(1) Is the Director General or any other officers within the Department of Industry and Resources attempting to conceal or cover up for KCGM (Barrick Mines and Newmont Mining) causing significant environmental damage as a consequence of seepage of mine water and pollutants from the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams which has been alleged as a current breaches of the
Mining Act
and Regulations and other legislation since March 13 2003 and having to take enforcement action as requested by Mr S. Kean, given that there is clear visual evidence of it occurring, as also identified by Mr Tony Cooke an independent person in which Mr S. Kean has specifically asked for the department to investigate it with him present along with reports, correspondence etc?
(2) If no to (1), why has the department been deliberately so obstructive and uncooperative since March 13 2003 a period of over seven months to simply investigate this environmental damage along with reports, correspondence etc with a view to taking enforcement action as requested by Mr S. Kean?
(3) If yes to (1), why?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
39 days
1. The Minister for State Development is not aware of any such attempt. 2. To the Minister's knowledge the department has not been intentionally obstructive or uncooperative on this matter. 3. N/A
2. To the Minister's knowledge the department has not been intentionally obstructive or uncooperative on this matter. 3. N/A
3. N/A
2. To the Minister's knowledge the department has not been intentionally obstructive or uncooperative on this matter. 3. N/A
3. N/A
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