❓ A parliamentary question addresses asbestos management in BHP Billiton's Pilbara iron ore operations, focusing on mine plans, monitoring, and community exposure. The Minister's response outlines company responsibilities and departmental oversight.
AnsweredQoN 779Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BHP
BILLITON PILBARA OPERATIONS — ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT
779. Hon KATE DOUST to the
minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to BHP Billiton's iron ore mining operations
in the Pilbara.
(1) Is asbestos management part of the approved mine plans
for the company's mines?
(2) If yes to
(1), does the mines safety branch of the Department of Mines and Petroleum have
a process to assess these management plans in respect of asbestos?
(3) Is the asbestos content of the company's ore
being monitored; and, if yes —
(a) by whom and how is this being
monitored; and
(b) what is the asbestos content of
the ore that is being mined in each of the company's mines?
(4) Is there
monitoring for asbestos in the loading of the ore for export; and, if so, by
whom and how is this being monitored?
(5) Has there been any asbestos exposure to the community
during loading?
BILLITON PILBARA OPERATIONS — ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT
779. Hon KATE DOUST to the
minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to BHP Billiton's iron ore mining operations
in the Pilbara.
(1) Is asbestos management part of the approved mine plans
for the company's mines?
(2) If yes to
(1), does the mines safety branch of the Department of Mines and Petroleum have
a process to assess these management plans in respect of asbestos?
(3) Is the asbestos content of the company's ore
being monitored; and, if yes —
(a) by whom and how is this being
monitored; and
(b) what is the asbestos content of
the ore that is being mined in each of the company's mines?
(4) Is there
monitoring for asbestos in the loading of the ore for export; and, if so, by
whom and how is this being monitored?
(5) Has there been any asbestos exposure to the community
during loading?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises —
(1) Any
company, including BHP, that is likely to encounter asbestos or other fibrous
minerals during mining operations is required to have an asbestos management
plan.
(2) The
department has developed a fibrous mineral management guideline that includes
the requirements of an asbestos management plan for the mining industry.
Asbestos management plans are submitted by companies where required to the
Department of Mines and Petroleum. These are evaluated by DMP inspectors and
verified on site from time to time.
(3) DMP is advised when asbestos is first encountered in a
mining operation.
(a) This
department does not undertake monitoring of either BHP or any other company's
ore. The obligation to determine the presence of asbestos in its ore is the
responsibility of the company.
(b) This question should be
referred to BHP.
(4) The
individual company is responsible for monitoring for asbestos or other
contaminants during ship-loading operations. Monitoring results are submitted
to DMP.
(5) I am
advised that the department has not received any advice from BHP that members
of the community have been exposed to asbestos during ship-loading of iron ore.
question. The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises —
(1) Any
company, including BHP, that is likely to encounter asbestos or other fibrous
minerals during mining operations is required to have an asbestos management
plan.
(2) The
department has developed a fibrous mineral management guideline that includes
the requirements of an asbestos management plan for the mining industry.
Asbestos management plans are submitted by companies where required to the
Department of Mines and Petroleum. These are evaluated by DMP inspectors and
verified on site from time to time.
(3) DMP is advised when asbestos is first encountered in a
mining operation.
(a) This
department does not undertake monitoring of either BHP or any other company's
ore. The obligation to determine the presence of asbestos in its ore is the
responsibility of the company.
(b) This question should be
referred to BHP.
(4) The
individual company is responsible for monitoring for asbestos or other
contaminants during ship-loading operations. Monitoring results are submitted
to DMP.
(5) I am
advised that the department has not received any advice from BHP that members
of the community have been exposed to asbestos during ship-loading of iron ore.
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