❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding a letter detailing environmental concerns at the Kundana Gold Mine, specifically related to hydrocarbon contamination and waste management practices. The Minister confirms the letter's content and provides general information about the types of hydrocarbons and storage issues identified.
AnsweredQoN 1372Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a letter which I understand is dated February 14 2002 signed by Eugene Bouwhuis, Environmental and Rehabilitation Officer, from the Department of Minerals and Energy addressed to the Registered Manager, Goldfields Limited, Kundana Gold Mine -
(1) Is it correct that part of the letter dated February 14 2002 states ‘Hydrocarbon product was noted amongst the rubbish within the site waste disposal facility located on the Arctic/North pit waste dump. These products must be removed where practicable and disposed of in a suitable manner. The rubbish disposal site was extremely untidy with a large surface area exposed to the influence of wind. I recommend that the rubbish disposal site be managed such that waste material is covered on a regular basis (or as required) to reduce the possibility of material dispersing into the adjacent environs and the facility acting a food source for feral cats. Rubbish which has dispersed from the facility must be recovered and suitably disposed of. Rubbish was noted within the environs adjacent to the mining and contractors workshop facility at the Raleigh Project and adjacent to the underground contractors laydown area near south Pit ramp. Please remove the offending rubbish and ensure that all rubbish is appropriately contained and disposed of.’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister table a copy of the letter?
(3) Can the Minister state the names of the products or whatever where the officer ‘observed a number of examples of hydrocarbon contamination on ground surfaces and inappropriately stored hydrocarbon products’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister state for each hydrocarbon product identified by the officer why it was ‘inappropriately’ stored?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(1) Is it correct that part of the letter dated February 14 2002 states ‘Hydrocarbon product was noted amongst the rubbish within the site waste disposal facility located on the Arctic/North pit waste dump. These products must be removed where practicable and disposed of in a suitable manner. The rubbish disposal site was extremely untidy with a large surface area exposed to the influence of wind. I recommend that the rubbish disposal site be managed such that waste material is covered on a regular basis (or as required) to reduce the possibility of material dispersing into the adjacent environs and the facility acting a food source for feral cats. Rubbish which has dispersed from the facility must be recovered and suitably disposed of. Rubbish was noted within the environs adjacent to the mining and contractors workshop facility at the Raleigh Project and adjacent to the underground contractors laydown area near south Pit ramp. Please remove the offending rubbish and ensure that all rubbish is appropriately contained and disposed of.’?
(2) If no to (1), will the Minister table a copy of the letter?
(3) Can the Minister state the names of the products or whatever where the officer ‘observed a number of examples of hydrocarbon contamination on ground surfaces and inappropriately stored hydrocarbon products’?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Can the Minister state for each hydrocarbon product identified by the officer why it was ‘inappropriately’ stored?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2003
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
39 days
1. Yes. 2. Not applicable. 3. The Minister for State Development has been advised that no particular brand or product details were obtained, however the offending hydrocarbon products included oils, hydraulic fluid and diesel. 4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
2. Not applicable. 3. The Minister for State Development has been advised that no particular brand or product details were obtained, however the offending hydrocarbon products included oils, hydraulic fluid and diesel. 4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
3. The Minister for State Development has been advised that no particular brand or product details were obtained, however the offending hydrocarbon products included oils, hydraulic fluid and diesel. 4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
6. Not applicable.
2. Not applicable. 3. The Minister for State Development has been advised that no particular brand or product details were obtained, however the offending hydrocarbon products included oils, hydraulic fluid and diesel. 4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
3. The Minister for State Development has been advised that no particular brand or product details were obtained, however the offending hydrocarbon products included oils, hydraulic fluid and diesel. 4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable. 5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
5. The Minister for State Development has been advised that the product was either stored without adequate containment or bunds, or located outside of an appropriate containment facility. 6. Not applicable.
6. Not applicable.
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