❓ A parliamentary question scrutinises the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine's tailings dam construction, focusing on adherence to environmental guidelines regarding watercourses, lease boundaries, and seepage management. The Minister's response clarifies the guidelines' intent, the mine's compliance, and seepage management requirements.
AnsweredQoN 3640Legislative Council
Asked
13 June 2006
Member
Portfolio
Resources and Assisting the Minister for State Development
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the ‘Water Quality Protection Guidelines No. 2’, ‘Mining and Mineral Processing tailings facilities 2000’, ‘Water quality Protection Guidelines No. 1’ produced by the Department of Minerals and Energy, Department of Environment and the Waters and Rivers Commission and the new Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine -
(1) Can the Minister explain why these guidelines were developed, signed and endorsed by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME)?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain why there is a need to prevent fractured zones that provide porous seepage paths to the external environment by advocating that ‘tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain what are the specific types of ‘unnecessary impacts’ the DME is referring to where it states, ‘To minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases’?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister explain why there is a need under the
Mining Act 1978
and other legislation administered by DME for tailings facilities not to be constructed on the boundaries of leases?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Has the tailings dam been constructed over any watercourses or drainage lines at the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine?
(10) If yes to (9), why did the DME allow this to occur given that as per the DME guidelines one can reasonably expect serious problems with seepage to the external environment?
(11) Has the tailings dam at the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine been constructed on or in close proximity to the boundaries of any leases or private property?
(12) If yes to (11), why did the DME allow this to occur given that as per the DME guidelines one can reasonably expect serious problems?
(13) Is the owner of the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(15) If yes to (13), why?
(1) Can the Minister explain why these guidelines were developed, signed and endorsed by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME)?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain why there is a need to prevent fractured zones that provide porous seepage paths to the external environment by advocating that ‘tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister explain what are the specific types of ‘unnecessary impacts’ the DME is referring to where it states, ‘To minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases’?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Can the Minister explain why there is a need under the
Mining Act 1978
and other legislation administered by DME for tailings facilities not to be constructed on the boundaries of leases?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Has the tailings dam been constructed over any watercourses or drainage lines at the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine?
(10) If yes to (9), why did the DME allow this to occur given that as per the DME guidelines one can reasonably expect serious problems with seepage to the external environment?
(11) Has the tailings dam at the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine been constructed on or in close proximity to the boundaries of any leases or private property?
(12) If yes to (11), why did the DME allow this to occur given that as per the DME guidelines one can reasonably expect serious problems?
(13) Is the owner of the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(15) If yes to (13), why?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 August 2006
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Resources and Assisting the Minister for State Development
Response time
70 days
1) The then Water and Rivers Commission developed the guidelines in collaboration with the then Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Minerals and Energy, to provide advice to the mining industry on acceptable environmental practices to ensure the protection and enhancement of the State's water resources (page 3 of the guidelines). The guidelines were signed and endorsed by the Department of Minerals and Energy (page iii of the guidelines) in 2000. (2) Not applicable. (3) As a precautionary rule, the guidelines recommend that tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses since they are often underlain by fractured rock zones (or weathering profiles) which may be porous and therefore would allow any seepage from the tailings facilitates to contaminate the external environment (item 5.1.b, page 4 of the guidelines). Any proposal to construct tailings storage facilities over watercourses would need to clearly demonstrate that any potential short term and long term environmental impact can be adequately managed at all stages of the mining (i.e. construction, operation and post mining). (4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) As a precautionary rule, the guidelines recommend that tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses since they are often underlain by fractured rock zones (or weathering profiles) which may be porous and therefore would allow any seepage from the tailings facilitates to contaminate the external environment (item 5.1.b, page 4 of the guidelines). Any proposal to construct tailings storage facilities over watercourses would need to clearly demonstrate that any potential short term and long term environmental impact can be adequately managed at all stages of the mining (i.e. construction, operation and post mining). (4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(3) As a precautionary rule, the guidelines recommend that tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses since they are often underlain by fractured rock zones (or weathering profiles) which may be porous and therefore would allow any seepage from the tailings facilitates to contaminate the external environment (item 5.1.b, page 4 of the guidelines). Any proposal to construct tailings storage facilities over watercourses would need to clearly demonstrate that any potential short term and long term environmental impact can be adequately managed at all stages of the mining (i.e. construction, operation and post mining). (4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(15) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) As a precautionary rule, the guidelines recommend that tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses since they are often underlain by fractured rock zones (or weathering profiles) which may be porous and therefore would allow any seepage from the tailings facilitates to contaminate the external environment (item 5.1.b, page 4 of the guidelines). Any proposal to construct tailings storage facilities over watercourses would need to clearly demonstrate that any potential short term and long term environmental impact can be adequately managed at all stages of the mining (i.e. construction, operation and post mining). (4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(3) As a precautionary rule, the guidelines recommend that tailings facilities should not be constructed over watercourses since they are often underlain by fractured rock zones (or weathering profiles) which may be porous and therefore would allow any seepage from the tailings facilitates to contaminate the external environment (item 5.1.b, page 4 of the guidelines). Any proposal to construct tailings storage facilities over watercourses would need to clearly demonstrate that any potential short term and long term environmental impact can be adequately managed at all stages of the mining (i.e. construction, operation and post mining). (4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(5) The guidelines also recommend that to minimise unnecessary impacts on neighbouring leases, the tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of leases adjoining the neighbouring leases. The "unnecessary impacts" referred to in the guidelines include dust, rising of groundwater level, excessive water or sediment runoff or any impacts that can cause an inconvenience or safety issue to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public. (6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(7) Tailings facilities should not be constructed on the boundaries of Mining Leases for several reasons: (i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(i) Mining operators need to allow enough room between the tailings dam and their Lease boundaries so that monitoring bores and seepage management features can be constructed in the appropriate locations surrounding the facility; (ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(ii) A mining operator may need to construct an extension to the tailings dam if the mine throughput increases over time and could only do so if lease boundaries allowed such an expansion; (iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(iii) Under Regulation 98 of the Mining Regulations 1981, the holder of a mining tenement shall not allow detritus, dirt, sludge, refuse, garbage, mine water or pollutants from the tenement to become an inconvenience to the holder of any other mining tenement or to the public, or in any way injure or obstruct any road or thoroughfare or any land used for agricultural, pastoral, fruit-growing, forestry or other useful purpose. If there was a failure in the wall of a tailings dam built on the boundary of a mining lease and tailings spread over the lease boundary, the Lease holder would be in breach of Regulation 98. (iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(iv) There needs to be sufficient distance around the facility to allow for rehabilitation and post closure management if such is required. (8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable (9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(9) The Tailings Dam has not been constructed over any water courses, it has been sited between the ephemeral Burlabup and Gnamma Creeks so that the facility does no obstruct the flow of the major drainage systems. Diversion channels have also been constructed to divert surface water run-off away from the tailings dam to prevent erosion damage to the walls. (10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable. (11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(11 ) The Ravensthorpe Nickel tailings dam has not been constructed on any boundaries of neighbouring leases or any neighbouring private property. The closest homestead is 5.47 km from the nearest tailings dam wall and the closest neighbouring farm boundary to the tailings dam is on the other side of a hill and 500 m away. (12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable. (13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(13) Mining companies are not required to capture all seepage from the tailings dam, only manage the seepage. (14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(14) Ravensthorpe Nickel are required to monitor and control seepage from their tailings dam. To achieve this, Ravensthorpe Nickel have a number of seepage control and underdrainage features built into the design of the tailings dam including a cut-off trench, low permeability soil liner and a high density polyethylene liner under the decant area, basin underdrainage collection system, underdrainage collection tower and embankment upstream toe drain. The Department of Environment and Conservation set license conditions prior to the tailings dam becoming operational. This licence stipulates parameters for the seepage management. (15) Not applicable.
(15) Not applicable.
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