Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding the management of abandoned mine pits on pastoral leases, specifically concerning safety and potential compensation for stock losses. The Minister requests the question be put on notice due to insufficient time for investigation.

AnsweredQoN 1096Legislative Council
Asked
11 November 2009
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

ABANDONED MINES — MANAGEMENT
I refer to the management of abandoned mines and photographs available at http//www.mpwa. gov.au/rchapple/Youno. (1) Is it a requirement of mining companies or the department to close abandoned mine pits from access to vehicles, people and stock on pastoral leases? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) If yes to (1), why is stock allowed to access the disused south and north pits of Snook Mine and the disused Cobia mine pits on Youno Downs station? (4) If yes to (1), will the minister instruct the former or current mine owners to ensure fencing or bunds are placed around the abandoned pits? (5) If pastoral stock die as a result of entering or falling into un-bunded, unfenced or un-gated pits, is compensation due to the pastoralist from the former or current owners? (6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
(1) Is it a requirement of mining companies or the department to close abandoned mine pits from access to vehicles, people and stock on pastoral leases? (2) If no to (1), why not? (3) If yes to (1), why is stock allowed to access the disused south and north pits of Snook Mine and the disused Cobia mine pits on Youno Downs station? (4) If yes to (1), will the minister instruct the former or current mine owners to ensure fencing or bunds are placed around the abandoned pits? (5) If pastoral stock die as a result of entering or falling into un-bunded, unfenced or un-gated pits, is compensation due to the pastoralist from the former or current owners? (6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
(2) If no to (1), why not? (3) If yes to (1), why is stock allowed to access the disused south and north pits of Snook Mine and the disused Cobia mine pits on Youno Downs station? (4) If yes to (1), will the minister instruct the former or current mine owners to ensure fencing or bunds are placed around the abandoned pits? (5) If pastoral stock die as a result of entering or falling into un-bunded, unfenced or un-gated pits, is compensation due to the pastoralist from the former or current owners? (6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
(3) If yes to (1), why is stock allowed to access the disused south and north pits of Snook Mine and the disused Cobia mine pits on Youno Downs station? (4) If yes to (1), will the minister instruct the former or current mine owners to ensure fencing or bunds are placed around the abandoned pits? (5) If pastoral stock die as a result of entering or falling into un-bunded, unfenced or un-gated pits, is compensation due to the pastoralist from the former or current owners? (6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
(4) If yes to (1), will the minister instruct the former or current mine owners to ensure fencing or bunds are placed around the abandoned pits? (5) If pastoral stock die as a result of entering or falling into un-bunded, unfenced or un-gated pits, is compensation due to the pastoralist from the former or current owners? (6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
(5) If pastoral stock die as a result of entering or falling into un-bunded, unfenced or un-gated pits, is compensation due to the pastoralist from the former or current owners? (6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
(6) If yes to (5), will the minister instruct the relevant mining companies of their responsibility? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. In the time available the Department of Mines and Petroleum has not been able to fully investigate the on-ground and legal situations relating to some of the matters raised in this question. I therefore ask that the question be placed on notice by the member so that an investigation can be carried out and detailed information can be provided.

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