Question on Notice regarding the Department of Environmental Protection's concerns about the potential impacts of seepage from the Big Bell tailings dam on deep groundwater levels and quality, specifically related to potential contamination of groundwater used for stock watering.

AnsweredQoN 897Legislative Council
Asked
21 September 2000
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

897. Hon Tom Helm to the Attorney General representing the Minister for the Environment:
I refer to a letter dated August 17 1998 signed by John Miragliotta for Fred Tromp, Acting Director Pollution Prevention Division addressed to Mr Ross Bailey, Registered Manager, Big Bell Mine, titled Big Bell Tailings Storage Facility Seepage Management Project -
(1) Why is the department concerned about the impacts of the TSF on deep groundwater levels and quality?
(2) To what depth, in metres below ground level, was the department concerned about when it referred to deep groundwater levels and quality?
(3) If not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
22 November 2000
Response time
62 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) The Department of Environmental Protection was concerned about the potential impacts of seepage from the Big Bell tailings dam on the deep aquifer below the dam as contamination may migrate offsite and potentially impact on groundwater used for stock watering purposes.
(2) The department was concerned about water approximately 25 metres below the tailings dam which occurs within gresh granite bedrock.
(3) Not applicable.

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