❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Environment regarding investigations into Polaris Metals NL's mining activities, specifically concerning saline water management and licence breaches. The Minister confirms an ongoing investigation by the Department of Environment Regulation.
AnsweredQoN 1100Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLARIS
METALS NL
1100. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the mining company Polaris Metals NL, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mineral Resources Limited.
(1) Is Polaris
Metals NL currently under investigation by the Department of Parks and Wildlife
and/or the Department of Environmental Regulation in relation to its mining activities
or mine-related activities in the Yilgarn iron ore province?
(2) If yes to
(1), will the minister provide details as to what is being investigated and the
status of the investigation, including when it commenced and when it is
expected to be completed?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
METALS NL
1100. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the mining company Polaris Metals NL, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mineral Resources Limited.
(1) Is Polaris
Metals NL currently under investigation by the Department of Parks and Wildlife
and/or the Department of Environmental Regulation in relation to its mining activities
or mine-related activities in the Yilgarn iron ore province?
(2) If yes to
(1), will the minister provide details as to what is being investigated and the
status of the investigation, including when it commenced and when it is
expected to be completed?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1) Yes.
Polaris Metals NL is currently under investigation by the Department of
Environment Regulation. Polaris Metals is not under investigation by the
Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(2) DER is
currently investigating Polaris Metals in relation to its management of saline
water produced from its mining operations, and reported alleged licence
breaches at the site's wastewater treatment plant. The saline water
investigations relate to the alleged unauthorised discharge of saline water
into gravel pits in September 2013, and the report of alleged unauthorised
discharges of saline water into the site's waste rock dump in October
2013 and May 2014. These matters are still under investigation. The reported
alleged licence breaches relate to production capacity exceedences that started
in May 2013 at the site's wastewater treatment plant. These
investigations are nearly finalised and should be completed in the next few
weeks.
(3) Not applicable.
of this question.
(1) Yes.
Polaris Metals NL is currently under investigation by the Department of
Environment Regulation. Polaris Metals is not under investigation by the
Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(2) DER is
currently investigating Polaris Metals in relation to its management of saline
water produced from its mining operations, and reported alleged licence
breaches at the site's wastewater treatment plant. The saline water
investigations relate to the alleged unauthorised discharge of saline water
into gravel pits in September 2013, and the report of alleged unauthorised
discharges of saline water into the site's waste rock dump in October
2013 and May 2014. These matters are still under investigation. The reported
alleged licence breaches relate to production capacity exceedences that started
in May 2013 at the site's wastewater treatment plant. These
investigations are nearly finalised and should be completed in the next few
weeks.
(3) Not applicable.
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