❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding the lifting of a prohibition notice at the Aditya Birla Minerals Nifty Copper Mine after a sinkhole incident. The response details inspections, reports considered, and conditions placed on the company.
AnsweredQoN 539Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ADITYA BIRLA MINERALS — NIFTY COPPER MINE
539. Hon KATE DOUST to the
minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the prohibition notice issued by the Department of
Mines and Petroleum on the Aditya Birla Minerals Nifty Copper Mine following
the development of a sinkhole in March 2014.
(1) Did the
Department of Mines and Petroleum inspect the mine prior to lifting the
prohibition notice and the reopening of the mine?
(2) If yes to
(1), what test and audits did the Department of Mines and Petroleum carry out
prior to lifting the prohibition notice and the reopening of the mine?
(3) What tests
and risk assessments were carried out by Aditya Birla Minerals that contributed
to the Department of Mines and Petroleum lifting the prohibition notice and the
reopening of the mine?
(4) Did the
department place any conditions on Aditya Birla Minerals prior to lifting the
prohibition notice and the reopening of the mine?
(5) If yes to
(4), what were they and has the Aditya Birla Minerals fully complied with the
conditions placed on them?
539. Hon KATE DOUST to the
minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the prohibition notice issued by the Department of
Mines and Petroleum on the Aditya Birla Minerals Nifty Copper Mine following
the development of a sinkhole in March 2014.
(1) Did the
Department of Mines and Petroleum inspect the mine prior to lifting the
prohibition notice and the reopening of the mine?
(2) If yes to
(1), what test and audits did the Department of Mines and Petroleum carry out
prior to lifting the prohibition notice and the reopening of the mine?
(3) What tests
and risk assessments were carried out by Aditya Birla Minerals that contributed
to the Department of Mines and Petroleum lifting the prohibition notice and the
reopening of the mine?
(4) Did the
department place any conditions on Aditya Birla Minerals prior to lifting the
prohibition notice and the reopening of the mine?
(5) If yes to
(4), what were they and has the Aditya Birla Minerals fully complied with the
conditions placed on them?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question. The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises as follows —
(1)–(3)
The mine was inspected by DMP post development of the sinkhole. The following
reports were considered as part of reopening the mine. A report titled ''Birla
Nifty Copper Operations, Risk Assessment and Hazard Control Report''
dated 2 May 2014; a ''Risk Assessment Record/Risk Reduction Plan''
dated 23 April 2014; a geotechnical ''Nifty Mine Sinkhole Investigation''
report dated 26 March 2014; a report titled ''Birla Nifty Copper
Operations, Summary on Operational Start up Activities'' dated 2 July
2014; and a report titled ''Birla Nifty Copper Operations, Resumption of
Mining Activities at Birla Nifty Copper Mine'' dated 26 June 2014.
Presentations were made by Birla Nifty Pty Ltd on 10 June and 26 June 2014 to
DMP regarding the progress made on the actions required as per the prohibition
notice.
(4) Yes.
(5) (a) An
investigation by an experienced geotechnical expert is to be undertaken to
establish the cause of the sinkhole and any safety implications from the
sinkhole which may affect underground mining operations. The prohibition notice
stated that a team-based suitable and sufficient risk assessment is to be
undertaken to manage safety risks associated with the sinkhole. Adequate
controls identified in the risk assessment are to be implemented before the
resumption of underground mining operations.'
(b) Yes.
question. The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises as follows —
(1)–(3)
The mine was inspected by DMP post development of the sinkhole. The following
reports were considered as part of reopening the mine. A report titled ''Birla
Nifty Copper Operations, Risk Assessment and Hazard Control Report''
dated 2 May 2014; a ''Risk Assessment Record/Risk Reduction Plan''
dated 23 April 2014; a geotechnical ''Nifty Mine Sinkhole Investigation''
report dated 26 March 2014; a report titled ''Birla Nifty Copper
Operations, Summary on Operational Start up Activities'' dated 2 July
2014; and a report titled ''Birla Nifty Copper Operations, Resumption of
Mining Activities at Birla Nifty Copper Mine'' dated 26 June 2014.
Presentations were made by Birla Nifty Pty Ltd on 10 June and 26 June 2014 to
DMP regarding the progress made on the actions required as per the prohibition
notice.
(4) Yes.
(5) (a) An
investigation by an experienced geotechnical expert is to be undertaken to
establish the cause of the sinkhole and any safety implications from the
sinkhole which may affect underground mining operations. The prohibition notice
stated that a team-based suitable and sufficient risk assessment is to be
undertaken to manage safety risks associated with the sinkhole. Adequate
controls identified in the risk assessment are to be implemented before the
resumption of underground mining operations.'
(b) Yes.
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