❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the storage of oxalate wastes at the Windimurra Vanadium Project, specifically regarding regulatory oversight and environmental impact. The Minister's response indicates the storage is managed under an existing DEP license.
AnsweredQoN 1164Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to my Question on Notice No. 1061 to the Minister for State Development, answered on June 27 2003, I refer to the image of the waste pond located at
http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/rchapple/issues/mining/windimurra.html
and ask -
(1) Has Alcoa or Windimurra Vanadium applied to store oxalate wastes on site, or was this action taken without regulatory oversight?
(2) Has the EPA undertaken any assessment of the company’s actions in storing thousands of tonnes of liquid wastes in unlined ponds at the minesite?
(3) Does the Minister intend to allow this practice to continue indefinitely, given the Windimurra operation may never restart?
http://www.mp.wa.gov.au/rchapple/issues/mining/windimurra.html
and ask -
(1) Has Alcoa or Windimurra Vanadium applied to store oxalate wastes on site, or was this action taken without regulatory oversight?
(2) Has the EPA undertaken any assessment of the company’s actions in storing thousands of tonnes of liquid wastes in unlined ponds at the minesite?
(3) Does the Minister intend to allow this practice to continue indefinitely, given the Windimurra operation may never restart?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2003
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
53 days
(1) Xstrata (manager of the Windimurra Vanadium Project) has sought approval to store the material in the mine tailings dam through the development of cells which have been fashioned from the heavy clay material in the dam. This storage of material is being managed through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) licence for the site that Xstrata has kept current. (2) No, the Environmental Protection Authority has not undertaken any assessment, as the site is currently licensed by the DEP. DEP Mid West officers have visited the site and inspected the oxalate storage to ensure compliance with Xstrata’s DEP licence. (3) The storage of this resource at Windimurra is a matter for Alcoa and Xstrata, and can continue if it is undertaken in accordance with its DEP licence.
(2) No, the Environmental Protection Authority has not undertaken any assessment, as the site is currently licensed by the DEP. DEP Mid West officers have visited the site and inspected the oxalate storage to ensure compliance with Xstrata’s DEP licence. (3) The storage of this resource at Windimurra is a matter for Alcoa and Xstrata, and can continue if it is undertaken in accordance with its DEP licence.
(3) The storage of this resource at Windimurra is a matter for Alcoa and Xstrata, and can continue if it is undertaken in accordance with its DEP licence.
(2) No, the Environmental Protection Authority has not undertaken any assessment, as the site is currently licensed by the DEP. DEP Mid West officers have visited the site and inspected the oxalate storage to ensure compliance with Xstrata’s DEP licence. (3) The storage of this resource at Windimurra is a matter for Alcoa and Xstrata, and can continue if it is undertaken in accordance with its DEP licence.
(3) The storage of this resource at Windimurra is a matter for Alcoa and Xstrata, and can continue if it is undertaken in accordance with its DEP licence.
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