❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses chemical spills at the Sunrise Dam gold mine, seeking details on the spills, their impact, and the government's response, particularly in light of previous breaches and company assurances.
AnsweredQoN 181Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SUNRISE DAM — CHEMICAL SPILL
I refer to the ABC online news story of Friday, 7 January 2011 headed “Gold company fined over environmental damage”. (1) What was the amount of water, which included chemicals such as cyanide, that caused that destruction? (2) Is it correct that this company has had another spill from Sunrise Dam totalling approximately 2.5 million tonnes? (3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON
I refer to the ABC online news story of Friday, 7 January 2011 headed “Gold company fined over environmental damage”. (1) What was the amount of water, which included chemicals such as cyanide, that caused that destruction? (2) Is it correct that this company has had another spill from Sunrise Dam totalling approximately 2.5 million tonnes? (3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(1) What was the amount of water, which included chemicals such as cyanide, that caused that destruction? (2) Is it correct that this company has had another spill from Sunrise Dam totalling approximately 2.5 million tonnes? (3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(2) Is it correct that this company has had another spill from Sunrise Dam totalling approximately 2.5 million tonnes? (3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(1) What was the amount of water, which included chemicals such as cyanide, that caused that destruction? (2) Is it correct that this company has had another spill from Sunrise Dam totalling approximately 2.5 million tonnes? (3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(2) Is it correct that this company has had another spill from Sunrise Dam totalling approximately 2.5 million tonnes? (3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(3) If yes to (2), what area was impacted and when did the spill occur? (4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(4) In light of the company’s previous breach and the mine’s general manager, Michael Erickson, saying that his company had changed its practices to prevent any future incidents what action does the minister intend to take? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(1) The amount was 1 200 kilolitres of hypersaline water. (2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(2)–(3) There was a spill of saline water from the Sunrise Dam’s return water line on 12 February 2011. The spill was confined within the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. There was also a spill of tailings material at the mine site on 22 February 2011 as a result of flash flooding following an extreme rain event. (4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
(4) In relation to the 12 February incident, the Department of Environment and Conservation investigated the spill and confirmed that it was confined to the mine’s stormwater catchment dam. This did not constitute a breach of the mine’s licence conditions and no action was required or taken by DEC. DEC is investigating the tailings spill incident on 22 February, and it is not appropriate for the minister to comment on ongoing investigations. In the event of a breach of licence conditions, DEC will consider appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and DEC’s enforcement and prosecutions policy 2008.
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