❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding the environmental impact and regulatory compliance of a tailings storage facility at the Big Bell Gold Mine, focusing on seepage control and departmental oversight.
AnsweredQoN 380Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 137 of Tuesday, July 31 2001 and the answers provided -
(1) Can the Minister explain how the Department is committed ‘to ensuring mining operations are carried out in a manner that minimises the impacts of their activities on the surrounding environment’?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Can the Minister state what specific measures have been implemented ‘to control seepage to the satisfaction of departmental officers’?
(4) Can the Minister explain why measures had to be implemented to the ‘satisfaction of departmental officers’?
(5) Has the tailings storage facility been thoroughly inspected since July 31 2001?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Are there any seepage problems into the groundwater and surrounding environment at this facility?
(8) Can the Minister provide the amount of litres and tonnes of water with contaminants from the tailings dam that is seeping into the groundwater beneath the tailings storage facility?
(9) If not, why not?
(10) Does the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and Regulations 1995 apply to the operation of the tailings storage facility?
(11) If not, why not?
(12) If yes, what has the Department done since the dam was first constructed under this Act to ensure that the Legislation has been adhered to?
(1) Can the Minister explain how the Department is committed ‘to ensuring mining operations are carried out in a manner that minimises the impacts of their activities on the surrounding environment’?
(2) If not, why not?
(3) Can the Minister state what specific measures have been implemented ‘to control seepage to the satisfaction of departmental officers’?
(4) Can the Minister explain why measures had to be implemented to the ‘satisfaction of departmental officers’?
(5) Has the tailings storage facility been thoroughly inspected since July 31 2001?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Are there any seepage problems into the groundwater and surrounding environment at this facility?
(8) Can the Minister provide the amount of litres and tonnes of water with contaminants from the tailings dam that is seeping into the groundwater beneath the tailings storage facility?
(9) If not, why not?
(10) Does the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and Regulations 1995 apply to the operation of the tailings storage facility?
(11) If not, why not?
(12) If yes, what has the Department done since the dam was first constructed under this Act to ensure that the Legislation has been adhered to?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 March 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
83 days
1. The Department requires the operator to report on their activities on an annual basis. Departmental officers inspect the operation in response to their report and assess the performance of the operation. Follow up inspections and actions are undertaken as required. 2. N/A 3. The measures implemented to control seepage include: · Trenches that intercept seepage which is then pumped back to the tailings storage facility (TSF) and the processing plant. · Reduced volume of water stored on the TSF. · The installation of an extensive system of monitoring bores around the TSF. · 8 deep aquifer bores for monitoring below the active shallow seepage zone. 4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
2. N/A 3. The measures implemented to control seepage include: · Trenches that intercept seepage which is then pumped back to the tailings storage facility (TSF) and the processing plant. · Reduced volume of water stored on the TSF. · The installation of an extensive system of monitoring bores around the TSF. · 8 deep aquifer bores for monitoring below the active shallow seepage zone. 4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
3. The measures implemented to control seepage include: · Trenches that intercept seepage which is then pumped back to the tailings storage facility (TSF) and the processing plant. · Reduced volume of water stored on the TSF. · The installation of an extensive system of monitoring bores around the TSF. · 8 deep aquifer bores for monitoring below the active shallow seepage zone. 4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
2. N/A 3. The measures implemented to control seepage include: · Trenches that intercept seepage which is then pumped back to the tailings storage facility (TSF) and the processing plant. · Reduced volume of water stored on the TSF. · The installation of an extensive system of monitoring bores around the TSF. · 8 deep aquifer bores for monitoring below the active shallow seepage zone. 4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
3. The measures implemented to control seepage include: · Trenches that intercept seepage which is then pumped back to the tailings storage facility (TSF) and the processing plant. · Reduced volume of water stored on the TSF. · The installation of an extensive system of monitoring bores around the TSF. · 8 deep aquifer bores for monitoring below the active shallow seepage zone. 4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
4. Departmental officers must be satisfied that the seepage measures are effective and achieving the desired objective. 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
5. Yes 6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
6. N/A 7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
7. No, the measures implemented have been effective in controlling the seepage. 8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
8. No. 9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
9. It is extremely difficult to determine the volume of seepage. In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
In their report dated 10 April 2001, Thorpe Groundwater and Environmental Services Pty Ltd state that 'there is no evidence of significant leakage or increased leakage of tailings water into the deep aquifer'. 10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
10. Yes 11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
11. N/A 12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
12. The Tailings Storage Facility, (TSF), at Big Bell Gold Mine has been subject to regular inspections by Departmental officers since its original construction. The defects observed during these inspections were recorded in the Mine Record Book and where necessary followed up with the mine management. Early in 1996 seepage from the south eastern side of the structure was observed, raising concerns about possible environmental impact, this resulted in the imposition of a work direction under the Mining Act on June 18, 1998.
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