Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for State Development regarding alleged unauthorized drilling on Aboriginal Reserve 24574 by Homestake Gold/Normandy Mining, managed by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, specifically questioning potential breaches of Mining Lease 26/261. The Minister claims no evidence of drilling was found and requests further information.

AnsweredQoN 268Legislative Council
Asked
13 November 2002
Portfolio
State Development

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Mining Lease 26/261, Aboriginal Reserve number 24574 and the holders of the Mining Lease, Homestake Gold of Australia Ltd and Normandy Mining Ltd with Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd as manager -
(1) Given Mining Lease 26/261 was granted with a tenement condition that prohibits mining on the Reserve can the Minister explain how drilling has been undertaken on the Aboriginal Reserve?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister provide a specific date in which written permission was provided by the Department of Minerals and Energy or the Minister for Mines for drilling to be carried out on this Aboriginal Reserve?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Have the tenement holders breached the tenement condition prohibiting mining on the Aboriginal Reserve given drilling has taken place?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) If yes to (5), why wasn’t forfeiture action implemented against the holders of the Mining Lease and a fine imposed upon the holder?
(8) What is the specific monetary penalty for breaching a mining lease condition and can the lease actually be forfeited?
(9) Can the Minister state how many drill holes and the depth of these drill holes that were drilled into this Aboriginal Reserve number 24574?
(10) If no to (9), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
11 December 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
28 days
1. With the limited information provided in this question the Minister for State Development is unable to provide a direct response. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources informed the Minister that they cannot identify from their records that drilling has taken place on Aboriginal Reserve 24574. A visual inspection of the Reserve also failed to reveal any evidence of recent drilling having taken place. If the Hon Member has evidence to the contrary the Minister asks that he makes it available to the department to enable them to investigate the allegation. 2 – 10. Not applicable.
2 – 10. Not applicable.

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