❓ A parliamentary question addresses vegetation death near Iluka Resources' Yoganup mine, seeking information on the cause, implications for other mines, and planned investigations. The Minister acknowledges the issue, references a report, and outlines mitigation measures for future mining projects.
AnsweredQoN 2424Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the death of vegetation surrounding Iluka Resources 85’/90’ mine-pit, Yoganup Extended minesite?
(2) If so, will any action be taken by the Minister?
(3) Is the Minister aware of the report prepared by Oracle Soil and Land Pty Ltd for Iluka Resources Ltd entitled ‘Investigation into the Decline of Native Vegetation Surrounding the 85’/90’ Minepit, Yoganup Extended Minesite’?
(4) If so, what are the implications of this for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain?
(5) Are there implications for other mineral sands mines such as Ludlow?
(6) Will there be further investigation into this matter?
(7) Will the report’s findings be widely disseminated in the Department of Environment and Department of Industry and Resources?
(2) If so, will any action be taken by the Minister?
(3) Is the Minister aware of the report prepared by Oracle Soil and Land Pty Ltd for Iluka Resources Ltd entitled ‘Investigation into the Decline of Native Vegetation Surrounding the 85’/90’ Minepit, Yoganup Extended Minesite’?
(4) If so, what are the implications of this for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain?
(5) Are there implications for other mineral sands mines such as Ludlow?
(6) Will there be further investigation into this matter?
(7) Will the report’s findings be widely disseminated in the Department of Environment and Department of Industry and Resources?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 October 2004
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
35 days
1) Yes. 2) Iluka Resources Ltd notified the Department of Environment (DoE) in February 2003 about the tree deaths. Oracle Soils and Land Pty Ltd undertook the investigation of the tree deaths, and the findings were reported to the DoE. The DoE did not consider any further action was required against Iluka Resources Ltd as there was no breach of its licence conditions. 3) Yes. 4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
2) Iluka Resources Ltd notified the Department of Environment (DoE) in February 2003 about the tree deaths. Oracle Soils and Land Pty Ltd undertook the investigation of the tree deaths, and the findings were reported to the DoE. The DoE did not consider any further action was required against Iluka Resources Ltd as there was no breach of its licence conditions. 3) Yes. 4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
3) Yes. 4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
2) Iluka Resources Ltd notified the Department of Environment (DoE) in February 2003 about the tree deaths. Oracle Soils and Land Pty Ltd undertook the investigation of the tree deaths, and the findings were reported to the DoE. The DoE did not consider any further action was required against Iluka Resources Ltd as there was no breach of its licence conditions. 3) Yes. 4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
3) Yes. 4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
4) The DoE has reviewed the report and determined the implications for mineral sands mining on the Swan Coastal Plain. In the event that mining occurs in close proximity to vegetation and below the water table the DoE will require that those impacts be mitigated. 5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
5) Dewatering is not occurring at the Ludlow Mine Site. This is due to the different geological formations in this area. Tree deaths will therefore not occur as a result of lowering the water table and is different to the Iluka situation. A comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan and a Ludlow Tuart Preservation Plan have been prepared by Cable Sands to investigate and address groundwater management and vegetation protection at the Ludlow mine. 6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
6) There will be no further investigation into this matter. 7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
7) The report was submitted to both the DoE and DOIR. The findings will be circulated to relevant staff in both agencies.
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