❓ Hon Robin Scott questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding Hawthorn Resources' mining activities on Pinjin Station, alleging environmental damage and breaches of tenement conditions. The Minister's response indicates that departmental investigations have not substantiated major non-compliance.
AnsweredQoN 945Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HAWTHORN RESOURCES —
PINJIN PASTORAL STATION
945. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the mining activities of
Hawthorn Resources on all its mining tenements on Pinjin station.
(1) Given that
the minister has in part stated that the purpose of condition 9 on mining lease
31/79 is to ''ensure any water main present is not adversely affected by
mining operations'', can the minister explain why the Department of
Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will not take urgent forfeiture action
and impose a large penalty on Hawthorn Resources, which has totally destroyed
many freshwater mains, some of which existed well before the mining lease was
granted in 1988, completely cutting off water essential for human life and
survival, and also creating enormous animal welfare problems because of the
lack of water for stock reliant upon that fresh water?
(2) Can the
minister explain why Hawthorn Resources has been allowed and tolerated by DMIRS
for well over 10 months to breach strict tenement conditions, without having
forfeiture action commenced and a large penalty imposed, despite being in
receipt of photographic evidence from Tisala Pty Ltd showing long-term
noncompliance with the removal of rubbish and sample bags, and the capping of
drill holes, despite directives from DMIRS to rectify these matters?
(3) Can the
minister explain why DMIRS has not taken or commenced forfeiture action and
imposed a large penalty, despite being in receipt of photographic evidence from
Tisala Pty Ltd showing where natural waterways have been completely blocked,
affecting the natural water flow to ultimately flow into freshwater dams?
The PRESIDENT : Minister,
before you answer, I am just going to say that that was a very long question. I
know that I have raised in the past that people are tending towards asking a very
long series of questions. It might be that if the member is seeking that type
of information, he might want to think about putting it on notice, or he might
seek a briefing from the relevant minister.
PINJIN PASTORAL STATION
945. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the mining activities of
Hawthorn Resources on all its mining tenements on Pinjin station.
(1) Given that
the minister has in part stated that the purpose of condition 9 on mining lease
31/79 is to ''ensure any water main present is not adversely affected by
mining operations'', can the minister explain why the Department of
Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will not take urgent forfeiture action
and impose a large penalty on Hawthorn Resources, which has totally destroyed
many freshwater mains, some of which existed well before the mining lease was
granted in 1988, completely cutting off water essential for human life and
survival, and also creating enormous animal welfare problems because of the
lack of water for stock reliant upon that fresh water?
(2) Can the
minister explain why Hawthorn Resources has been allowed and tolerated by DMIRS
for well over 10 months to breach strict tenement conditions, without having
forfeiture action commenced and a large penalty imposed, despite being in
receipt of photographic evidence from Tisala Pty Ltd showing long-term
noncompliance with the removal of rubbish and sample bags, and the capping of
drill holes, despite directives from DMIRS to rectify these matters?
(3) Can the
minister explain why DMIRS has not taken or commenced forfeiture action and
imposed a large penalty, despite being in receipt of photographic evidence from
Tisala Pty Ltd showing where natural waterways have been completely blocked,
affecting the natural water flow to ultimately flow into freshwater dams?
The PRESIDENT : Minister,
before you answer, I am just going to say that that was a very long question. I
know that I have raised in the past that people are tending towards asking a very
long series of questions. It might be that if the member is seeking that type
of information, he might want to think about putting it on notice, or he might
seek a briefing from the relevant minister.
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you, Madam President, and the
answer will be nice and short.
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum.
(1) Departmental investigations to
date have not established that condition 9 has been breached.
(2)–(3) I
am advised that the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has
investigated this matter and has not established major noncompliance that would
warrant forfeiture action with respect to the relevant tenement conditions.
answer will be nice and short.
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum.
(1) Departmental investigations to
date have not established that condition 9 has been breached.
(2)–(3) I
am advised that the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has
investigated this matter and has not established major noncompliance that would
warrant forfeiture action with respect to the relevant tenement conditions.
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