❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding the transfer and storage of oxalate wastes from Alcoa to the Windimurra vanadium mine, specifically concerning environmental regulations and potential long-term impacts given the mine's operational status. The Minister deflects most questions to the Minister for the Environment.
AnsweredQoN 1163Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to my Question on Notice No. 1061 to the Minister for State Development, answered on June 27 2003, I refer to the image of the waste pond located at
http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/rchapple/issues/mining/windimurra.html
and ask -
(1) Will the Minister table the relevant licence and indicate the sections under which the oxalate wastes are being transferred to Windimurra?
(2) Is it correct that at the time this agreement came into force these wastes were being incinerated in the Windimurra plant?
(3) If not, what is the Minister’s understanding of the original agreement pertaining to these wastes?
(4) If yes to (3), does the Minister consider it appropriate that these wastes are now being dumped in unlined ponds at the minesite?
(5) Has Alcoa or Windimurra Vanadium applied to store these wastes on site, or was this action taken without regulatory oversight?
(6) Does the Minister intend to allow this practice to continue indefinitely, given the Windimurra operation may never restart?
http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/rchapple/issues/mining/windimurra.html
and ask -
(1) Will the Minister table the relevant licence and indicate the sections under which the oxalate wastes are being transferred to Windimurra?
(2) Is it correct that at the time this agreement came into force these wastes were being incinerated in the Windimurra plant?
(3) If not, what is the Minister’s understanding of the original agreement pertaining to these wastes?
(4) If yes to (3), does the Minister consider it appropriate that these wastes are now being dumped in unlined ponds at the minesite?
(5) Has Alcoa or Windimurra Vanadium applied to store these wastes on site, or was this action taken without regulatory oversight?
(6) Does the Minister intend to allow this practice to continue indefinitely, given the Windimurra operation may never restart?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
54 days
1. A licence is not required for the transfer of sodium oxalate to Windimurra. However, as sodium oxalate is a Class 8 Dangerous Good, transport to Windimurra requires compliance with the WA Dangerous Goods (Transport) (Road and Rail) Regulations 1999. 2. It is not clear which “agreement’ the Hon. Member is referring to. However, the Minister for State Development is advised that sodium oxalate was used as a reagent in the rotary kiln since commissioning of the Windimurra vanadium project. 3. N/A. 4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
2. It is not clear which “agreement’ the Hon. Member is referring to. However, the Minister for State Development is advised that sodium oxalate was used as a reagent in the rotary kiln since commissioning of the Windimurra vanadium project. 3. N/A. 4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
3. N/A. 4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
6. See 4 above.
2. It is not clear which “agreement’ the Hon. Member is referring to. However, the Minister for State Development is advised that sodium oxalate was used as a reagent in the rotary kiln since commissioning of the Windimurra vanadium project. 3. N/A. 4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
3. N/A. 4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
4. This question should be referred to the Minister for the Environment. 5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
5. See 4 above. 6. See 4 above.
6. See 4 above.
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