❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses environmental and occupational health and safety monitoring during uranium exploration, specifically regarding ground-disturbing activities. The Minister confirms monitoring occurs under various acts and regulations.
AnsweredQoN 745Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
URANIUM EXPLORATION TENEMENTS — RADIATION SAFETY REPORTS
I refer to question on notice 2670, answered on Tuesday, 7 September and asked by Hon Robin Chapple, about uranium exploration tenements. (1) Is ground-disturbing activity occurring during the proving up of the resource and in preparation for mining? (2) If yes to (1), what monitoring of — (a) environmental impact; and (b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites? (3) If the answer to (2) is none, will the minister please explain how the environment and workers’ health are being protected? (4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE
I refer to question on notice 2670, answered on Tuesday, 7 September and asked by Hon Robin Chapple, about uranium exploration tenements. (1) Is ground-disturbing activity occurring during the proving up of the resource and in preparation for mining? (2) If yes to (1), what monitoring of — (a) environmental impact; and (b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites? (3) If the answer to (2) is none, will the minister please explain how the environment and workers’ health are being protected? (4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(1) Is ground-disturbing activity occurring during the proving up of the resource and in preparation for mining? (2) If yes to (1), what monitoring of — (a) environmental impact; and (b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites? (3) If the answer to (2) is none, will the minister please explain how the environment and workers’ health are being protected? (4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(2) If yes to (1), what monitoring of — (a) environmental impact; and (b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites? (3) If the answer to (2) is none, will the minister please explain how the environment and workers’ health are being protected? (4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites?
is occurring at these sites?
(4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(1) Is ground-disturbing activity occurring during the proving up of the resource and in preparation for mining? (2) If yes to (1), what monitoring of — (a) environmental impact; and (b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites? (3) If the answer to (2) is none, will the minister please explain how the environment and workers’ health are being protected? (4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(2) If yes to (1), what monitoring of — (a) environmental impact; and (b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites? (3) If the answer to (2) is none, will the minister please explain how the environment and workers’ health are being protected? (4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(b) occupational health and safety is occurring at these sites?
is occurring at these sites?
(4) If monitoring is occurring, would the minister please provide details, in particular under what legislation or regulation this monitoring is occurring. Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(1) Yes. Ground-disturbing activity does occur during the proving up of a resource and in preparation for mining. (2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(2) (a) Monitoring of the environmental impact occurs as a result of inspections carried out by the environmental inspectors appointed under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981. Inspections are carried out on a risk-based approach. Monitoring can also occur as a result of annual environmental reporting conditions imposed on a tenement and required for some large-scale exploration programs. Monitoring can also occur as part of native vegetation clearing permit conditions imposed for exploration activities that are carried within environmentally sensitive areas as defined in the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. (b) Monitoring of occupational health and safety at these sites may occur as a result of field inspections carried out by mines safety inspectors. Monitoring can also occur in the reporting options of the regulations in relation to the radiation management plan, which outlines processes and procedures related to occupational health. (3) Not applicable. (4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
(4) Environmental monitoring occurs under the Mining Act 1978 and associated Mining Regulations 1981, as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and associated Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004. Occupational health and safety monitoring occurs under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and part 16 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
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