❓ Hon Jon Ford questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding a reported rock fall incident at the Bullen Mine, operated by Norseman Gold, and the subsequent reporting obligations and potential penalties under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994. The Minister confirms the incident wasn't reported at the time of questioning, an investigation was launched, and clarifies reporting requirements and potential penalties.
AnsweredQoN 2367Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Bullen Mine operated by Norseman Gold with Barry Cahill, Mike Read, Corey Doust and Geoff Woolsten in management, and ask -
(1) Was it reported to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), that within the last eight weeks a large rock, believed to be as large as 40kg in weight, fell from the backs of a diamond drill area in the Bullen Mine, and landed at the area directly in front of the seat used by the diamond driller?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister direct the DMP to urgently carry out an investigation into this matter?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Does the DMP inspectorate clearly understand the importance of the incident referred to in (1), above in terms of preventing accidents and eliminating fatalities?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will the Minister quote the specific section of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and the Regulations 1995
which attracts a penalty for this matter, if it was not reported to the DMP?
(7) Will the Minister state, what is the maximum penalty applicable for such breaches?
(8) Will the registered manager, or any other person at Norseman Gold, be prosecuted for such breaches if they have occurred?
(9) If no to (8) why not?
(1) Was it reported to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), that within the last eight weeks a large rock, believed to be as large as 40kg in weight, fell from the backs of a diamond drill area in the Bullen Mine, and landed at the area directly in front of the seat used by the diamond driller?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister direct the DMP to urgently carry out an investigation into this matter?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Does the DMP inspectorate clearly understand the importance of the incident referred to in (1), above in terms of preventing accidents and eliminating fatalities?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will the Minister quote the specific section of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and the Regulations 1995
which attracts a penalty for this matter, if it was not reported to the DMP?
(7) Will the Minister state, what is the maximum penalty applicable for such breaches?
(8) Will the registered manager, or any other person at Norseman Gold, be prosecuted for such breaches if they have occurred?
(9) If no to (8) why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
41 days
1. No, not at the time that this question was asked.
2. An inspector followed up on this matter on 11 May 2010
[see tabled paper no ]
3. Not applicable
4. Yes
5. Not applicable
6. Section 79 of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
requires that the Registered Manager reports any event that he considers to be a potentially serious incident. The enquiries made by the Department indicate that the operators involved did not report this incident to management and thus the Registered Manager was not aware of it. Section 78 of the
Mines Safety and
Inspection Act 1994
requires that the Registered Manager reports any extensive fall of ground or major collapse. This event does not fall into this category.
7. Failure to make the reports required by the sections mentioned attracts a Level 1 penalty under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
. For a first offence a corporation may be fined $50,000.00 for such a failure to report an incident or occurrence as laid down in Sections 78 and 79. Subsequent offences attract a fine of $62,500.00.
8. Should such a breach occur, the circumstances would be evaluated and should it be in the public interest and should the State Solicitor provide advice that a prima facie case exists, a prosecution of the offender would be undertaken.
9. Not applicable.
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2. An inspector followed up on this matter on 11 May 2010
[see tabled paper no ]
3. Not applicable
4. Yes
5. Not applicable
6. Section 79 of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
requires that the Registered Manager reports any event that he considers to be a potentially serious incident. The enquiries made by the Department indicate that the operators involved did not report this incident to management and thus the Registered Manager was not aware of it. Section 78 of the
Mines Safety and
Inspection Act 1994
requires that the Registered Manager reports any extensive fall of ground or major collapse. This event does not fall into this category.
7. Failure to make the reports required by the sections mentioned attracts a Level 1 penalty under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
. For a first offence a corporation may be fined $50,000.00 for such a failure to report an incident or occurrence as laid down in Sections 78 and 79. Subsequent offences attract a fine of $62,500.00.
8. Should such a breach occur, the circumstances would be evaluated and should it be in the public interest and should the State Solicitor provide advice that a prima facie case exists, a prosecution of the offender would be undertaken.
9. Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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