Question on Notice regarding uranium ore stockpiles at Yeelirrie, querying environmental and safety concerns, and rehabilitation plans. The Minister's response indicates testing is underway, influencing future decisions on the site.

AnsweredQoN 866Legislative Council
Asked
19 September 2000
Portfolio
Mines

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Why do these stockpiles of uranium bearing ore still remain on the surface at this site? (2) Why has the uranium bearing ore not been reburied? (3) Why has the site not been rehabilitated? (4) Why have the stockpiles of calcrete ore been allowed to remain uncovered? (5) Why are native animals and stock allowed to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and allowed to drink from the water in the pits? (6) In light of the clean up being carried out of radioactive ore at the Lake Way site, will the Minister instruct Western Mining Corporation to bury the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore and rehabilitate the site? (7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
11 October 2000
Response time
22 days
(1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(2) Why has the uranium bearing ore not been reburied? (3) Why has the site not been rehabilitated? (4) Why have the stockpiles of calcrete ore been allowed to remain uncovered? (5) Why are native animals and stock allowed to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and allowed to drink from the water in the pits? (6) In light of the clean up being carried out of radioactive ore at the Lake Way site, will the Minister instruct Western Mining Corporation to bury the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore and rehabilitate the site? (7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(3) Why has the site not been rehabilitated? (4) Why have the stockpiles of calcrete ore been allowed to remain uncovered? (5) Why are native animals and stock allowed to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and allowed to drink from the water in the pits? (6) In light of the clean up being carried out of radioactive ore at the Lake Way site, will the Minister instruct Western Mining Corporation to bury the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore and rehabilitate the site? (7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(4) Why have the stockpiles of calcrete ore been allowed to remain uncovered? (5) Why are native animals and stock allowed to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and allowed to drink from the water in the pits? (6) In light of the clean up being carried out of radioactive ore at the Lake Way site, will the Minister instruct Western Mining Corporation to bury the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore and rehabilitate the site? (7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(5) Why are native animals and stock allowed to pass under the fences around the radioactive pits and allowed to drink from the water in the pits? (6) In light of the clean up being carried out of radioactive ore at the Lake Way site, will the Minister instruct Western Mining Corporation to bury the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore and rehabilitate the site? (7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(6) In light of the clean up being carried out of radioactive ore at the Lake Way site, will the Minister instruct Western Mining Corporation to bury the 35 thousand tonnes of radioactive ore and rehabilitate the site? (7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(7) If not, why not? (8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(8) Will the DME carry out a full investigation as to why the fences at the site have allowed ingress of native and domestic fauna? (9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
(9) If not, why not? Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.
Answered on 11 October 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) The stockpiled ores at Yeelirrie are being used by WMC Resources Ltd for metallurgical testing. (2) When the results of the testing program (refer to (1) have been finalised then a decision on the future of the Yeelirrie prospect, including the stockpiles, will be made. (3) Refer to (1) & (2) above. (4) Tests show that the stockpiles have been stabilised by the accretion of calcrete crusts over their surfaces and material in the stockpiles will not be dispersed. (5) The water in the pits is saline and it is understood that it would be unpalatable to wildlife. (6&7) Rehabilitation and cleaning up of the Yeelirrie prospect will be undertaken when the WMC Resources Ltd metallurgical testing program has been completed and results are available for evaluation. (8 & 9) The fencing and signage provided at Yeelirrie were determined to be appropriate to prevent inadvertent human access to the site. WMC Resources Ltd, as the pastoral lease holder, would determine the necessary means for the prevention of access by fauna under the company?s own stringent environmental policies.

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