Question regarding the Department of Environment and Conservation's (DEC) requirement for mining containment structures to meet a specific permeability standard (10^-9 m/s), questioning its practicality given potential site variations and the value of compliance certificates.

⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 3402Legislative Assembly
Asked
10 June 2008
Portfolio
the Environment

QuestionView source ↗

(a) can the Minister explain why the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) makes proponents across the State spend large amounts of money to meet design criteria of 10ˉ9 metres per second, and as of the year 2005 with the
Mining and Mineral Processing Tailings Facilities Guidelines 2000
continues to recommend that mining containment structures are constructed to limit seepage rates under normal conditions to 10ˉ9 metres per second, when the actual permeability may vary after construction due to variation in the site characteristics; and
(i) if no to (a), why not;
(b) can the Minister explain why the DEC bothers to have design criteria of 10ˉ9 metres per second for tailings dams and mining containment structures when the actual permeability may vary after construction due to a variation in site characteristics; and
(i) if no to (b), why not;
(c) can the Minister explain the purpose of compliance certificates that certify that tailings dams have been constructed in accordance with works approval and licence conditions, when the actual permeability may vary after construction due to a variation in site characteristics; and
(i) if no to (c), why not?
Answered on

AnswerView source ↗

This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.

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