❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns regarding the rehabilitation of Rio Tinto's former construction camp in the Pilbara, specifically regarding buried waste and the adequacy of rehabilitation efforts. The Minister confirms awareness and ongoing investigation.
AnsweredQoN 6282Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that Rio Tinto's former "Birrabira" construction camp in the Pilbara region of Western Australia covers an area of about 40 hectares and is located in close proximity to the ocean? (2) Is Rio Tinto required to rehabilitate the site to a specific standard before returning it to the State, and if so, does this include the removal of all former camp components such as raw sewerage, plastic, electric cables and conduits, asphalt, concrete, steel and oil drums? (3) Which agency is responsible for assessing site rehabilitation and granting final approval that all works undertaken by Rio Tinto have satisfactorily rehabilitated the site? (4) Can the Minister confirm whether there is former camp construction waste still visible on the site and if there is waste still buried on the site? (5) Can the Minister advise what stage works have reached for rehabilitation of the site? (6) Can the Minister advise if any action has been taken or is proposed to be taken by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage in respect of the former Rio Tinto construction camp at Cape Lambert in regard to the standard of rehabilitation works?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 August 2020
Responded by
Minister for Lands
Response time
1 days
(1) Yes.
(2) In accordance with Clause 9.3 of Crown Lease K058441, the Lessee is required to restore the land to the condition described in the 2007 Baseline Audit, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Lessor.
(3) The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
(4) In February 2020, the holder of a mining tenement over the land notified the Department that he had identified significant quantities of building waste buried underground. The Department inspected the site and confirmed these claims.
(5-6) Rio Tinto advised that rehabilitation works have been undertaken, but the Department is liaising with Rio Tinto in relation to the buried building material and will undertake a site inspection in late August 2020.
(2) In accordance with Clause 9.3 of Crown Lease K058441, the Lessee is required to restore the land to the condition described in the 2007 Baseline Audit, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Lessor.
(3) The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
(4) In February 2020, the holder of a mining tenement over the land notified the Department that he had identified significant quantities of building waste buried underground. The Department inspected the site and confirmed these claims.
(5-6) Rio Tinto advised that rehabilitation works have been undertaken, but the Department is liaising with Rio Tinto in relation to the buried building material and will undertake a site inspection in late August 2020.
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