❓ A parliamentary question regarding groundwater contamination from tailings dams at the Fimiston mine site, specifically referencing a 1999 letter from the Department of Environment to KCGM and the effectiveness of seepage recovery systems.
AnsweredQoN 1724Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to a letter dated 28 September 1999 signed by Trevor Naughton for Fred Tromp from the Department of Environment (DoE) addressed to KCGM concerning the Fimiston I and Fimiston II tailings dams, I ask –
(1) Is it correct that the letter dated 28 September 1999 in part states that groundwater chemistry has been affected up to 500 metres from the walls of the tailings storage facilities (TSFs) that while it is acknowledged that seepage from the TSFs is inevitable, they need to ensure that it is contained within the seepage recovery system?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister release the full text of this letter?
(3) Can the Minister explain why the DoE was asking KCGM to ensure that seepage was contained within the seepage recovery system?
(a) If not, why not?
(1) Is it correct that the letter dated 28 September 1999 in part states that groundwater chemistry has been affected up to 500 metres from the walls of the tailings storage facilities (TSFs) that while it is acknowledged that seepage from the TSFs is inevitable, they need to ensure that it is contained within the seepage recovery system?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister release the full text of this letter?
(3) Can the Minister explain why the DoE was asking KCGM to ensure that seepage was contained within the seepage recovery system?
(a) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 February 2007
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
76 days
(1) Yes, though the remainder of the paragraph also indicates that recovery systems need review and improvement as necessary. (2) Not applicable. (3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
(1) Yes, though the remainder of the paragraph also indicates that recovery systems need review and improvement as necessary. (2) Not applicable. (3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
(2) Not applicable. (3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
(3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
(1) Yes, though the remainder of the paragraph also indicates that recovery systems need review and improvement as necessary. (2) Not applicable. (3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
(2) Not applicable. (3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
(3) It is noted that other portions of the letter highlight the need to stabilise and then reverse rising water levels in the area. Containing seepage, as far as practicable, within the seepage recovery system would increase seepage recovery and thereby assist in stabilising water levels in the area.
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