❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding the Department's agreement with best practice tailings management principles, particularly concerning community consultation and transparency, in relation to the Fimiston I tailings dam operated by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines. The Minister refers the member to a previous answer.
AnsweredQoN 2506Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a paper titled ‘Understanding Best Practice tailings management written by Peter Waggit, Principal Environmental Scientist, Office of the Supervising Scientist - Environment Australia’, and the Fimiston I tailings dam owned by Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining, and operated by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd -
(1) Given that part of this paper states ‘Overcoming Environmental Concerns and Operational Challenges, a major concern to be dealt with will be the feelings of the Community and affected stakeholders. Ultimately, as Jerry Ellis of BHP said recently (Ellis) 1997, Mining companies have to earn their licenses to operate from the communities in which they work. Community consultation is an essential part of best practice. All best practice programs and assessments must include a structured and continuing program of community consultation to ensure that stakeholders are informed and have adequate opportunities to exchange information and provide feedback to the mining company (Needham and Waggitt, 1998). Environmental risks must be minimised to the greatest extent practicable. These issues must be addressed in an open manner, that is what constitutes best practice. Openness in consultation and transparency in information exchange are the keys to successful ‘defusing’ of community concerns about tailings disposal. Also, it is important to set up the communications network between the stakeholders at the earliest opportunity, especially since waste management planning must be incorporated into mine planning from the beginning of the project’, does the Minister and the Department agree with all of the statements, principles and concepts in the paper?
(2) If no to (1), why and which specific statements, principles and concepts does the Minister, Department not agree with?
(3) If yes to (1), can the Minister explain the reasons why?
(4) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Minerals and Energy has tolerated and supported Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd operating in a manner where openness in consultation and transparency in information exchange concerning the Fimiston I tailings dam proposal and other projects has been limited to a select group with only limited information provided, and not necessarily with the affected stakeholders in a clear open and transparent manner with information exchange in order to defuse community concerns?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Can the Minister state who does he understand are the key affected stakeholders with the Fimiston I tailings dam?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(1) Given that part of this paper states ‘Overcoming Environmental Concerns and Operational Challenges, a major concern to be dealt with will be the feelings of the Community and affected stakeholders. Ultimately, as Jerry Ellis of BHP said recently (Ellis) 1997, Mining companies have to earn their licenses to operate from the communities in which they work. Community consultation is an essential part of best practice. All best practice programs and assessments must include a structured and continuing program of community consultation to ensure that stakeholders are informed and have adequate opportunities to exchange information and provide feedback to the mining company (Needham and Waggitt, 1998). Environmental risks must be minimised to the greatest extent practicable. These issues must be addressed in an open manner, that is what constitutes best practice. Openness in consultation and transparency in information exchange are the keys to successful ‘defusing’ of community concerns about tailings disposal. Also, it is important to set up the communications network between the stakeholders at the earliest opportunity, especially since waste management planning must be incorporated into mine planning from the beginning of the project’, does the Minister and the Department agree with all of the statements, principles and concepts in the paper?
(2) If no to (1), why and which specific statements, principles and concepts does the Minister, Department not agree with?
(3) If yes to (1), can the Minister explain the reasons why?
(4) Can the Minister explain why the Department of Minerals and Energy has tolerated and supported Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd operating in a manner where openness in consultation and transparency in information exchange concerning the Fimiston I tailings dam proposal and other projects has been limited to a select group with only limited information provided, and not necessarily with the affected stakeholders in a clear open and transparent manner with information exchange in order to defuse community concerns?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Can the Minister state who does he understand are the key affected stakeholders with the Fimiston I tailings dam?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
27 days
I refer the Hon member to the answer to Question on Notice 2499.
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