❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses a dust emission incident at the Thunderbox Gold Mine, inquiring about its cause, reporting, license conditions, and potential enforcement actions. The Department of Mines and Petroleum is investigating and considering appropriate actions.
AnsweredQoN 359Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the photos of dust at http://www.robinchapple.com/sites/default/files/2013-10-09%20ThunderBox%20Dust.pdf
emanating from the Thunderbox Gold Mine on 9 October 2013, and I ask: (a) why did this fugitive dust emission eventuate; (b) what was the source of the fugitive dust
emission; (c) was this fugitive dust emission incident
reported to the Department of Mines and Petroleum; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) is there a condition contained within the
licence condition for the Thunderbox mine that seeks to prevent such a fugitive
dust emission; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) if yes to (e), will the Minister table the licence; and (h) if yes to (e), what actions are available to the
Minister to prosecute or cause the Thunderbox Mine to cease such fugitive dust
emissions?
emanating from the Thunderbox Gold Mine on 9 October 2013, and I ask: (a) why did this fugitive dust emission eventuate; (b) what was the source of the fugitive dust
emission; (c) was this fugitive dust emission incident
reported to the Department of Mines and Petroleum; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) is there a condition contained within the
licence condition for the Thunderbox mine that seeks to prevent such a fugitive
dust emission; (f) if no to (e), why not; (g) if yes to (e), will the Minister table the licence; and (h) if yes to (e), what actions are available to the
Minister to prosecute or cause the Thunderbox Mine to cease such fugitive dust
emissions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 November 2013
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a)
Officers from the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) have reviewed the photographs. While DMP's investigation into this matter is continuing, the officers consider that the dust emissions were likely to be the result of high winds passing over exposed tailings which have low moisture content at the mine site.
(b)
The investigating officers of DMP consider that the dust was generated from a tailings storage facility on the mine site.
(c)
Yes
(d)
Not applicable
(e)
Yes. Condition 26 of Mining Lease 36/512.
(f)
Not applicable
(g)
An extract of the applicable conditions of the tenement is attached [see tabled document no ........]
(h)
The investigation of the incident is continuing and DMP will consider the appropriate enforcement or prosecution action following the completion of the investigation. The
Mining Act 1978
provides powers to issue administrative directions where there is a risk of environment harm, and provides for fines, or forfeiture to be considered for breaches of tenement conditions.
(a)
Officers from the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) have reviewed the photographs. While DMP's investigation into this matter is continuing, the officers consider that the dust emissions were likely to be the result of high winds passing over exposed tailings which have low moisture content at the mine site.
(b)
The investigating officers of DMP consider that the dust was generated from a tailings storage facility on the mine site.
(c)
Yes
(d)
Not applicable
(e)
Yes. Condition 26 of Mining Lease 36/512.
(f)
Not applicable
(g)
An extract of the applicable conditions of the tenement is attached [see tabled document no ........]
(h)
The investigation of the incident is continuing and DMP will consider the appropriate enforcement or prosecution action following the completion of the investigation. The
Mining Act 1978
provides powers to issue administrative directions where there is a risk of environment harm, and provides for fines, or forfeiture to be considered for breaches of tenement conditions.
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