❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses safety concerns regarding a large slab of rock at the KCGM Superpit, including monitoring, removal, and departmental inspections. The Minister's response addresses each point, outlining monitoring practices, responsibilities, and regulatory compliance.
AnsweredQoN 2322Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the KCGM operations commonly known as ‘the superpit ‘in the Kalgoorlie Boulder region, and photos at
http://robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-04-29 Hanging Rock.pdf], and ask -
(1) Is it true that the device on the trailer is monitoring the large slab in the picture for movement as it is positioned directly above a ramp that is in use?
(2) Is it true that there has been movement detected in relation to that slab in the previous six months?
(3) If yes to (2), will the Minister table all movement recorded by the device concerning the slab in the last 36 months?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
(5) Will the Minister state why the large slab was not removed, as the operations progressed passed its present location, to ensure the safety of the operators?
(6) Does the Minister consider this situation to be safe considering that the slab is around three times larger than a Caterpiller 793 haul pack, and that if it came down on anybody, serious injury or death is almost certain?
(7) If no to (6), will the Minister require this slab removed?
(8) Does the Minister approve of the mining practice of leaving the slab in place in its present condition?
(9) When was the last time that an inspection of the pit walls was conducted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, to ensure that all walls were safe in regards to slabs hanging off, rocks sitting on the edge of high walls and batters, and rocks remaining in stopes and drives from the old workings that could be washed out with dirt that rills with the rain?
(10) Has this matter referred to in (9), been investigated by the DMP?
(11) If no to (10), will the Minister urgently require an investigation into this matter?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) Will the Minister state how many complaints have been received, and investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) concerning slabs hanging off, rocks sitting on the edge of high walls and batters, and rocks remaining in stopes and drives from the old workings that could be washed out with dirt that rills with the rain in the last 24 months?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(15) Can the Minister state which sections of the
Mines Safety and Inspections Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
apply?
(16) Will the Minister state the maximum penalty that would apply in relation to these breaches?
(17) Will the Registered Manager, or any other person at KCGM, be prosecuted for these breaches if found to be non compliant?
(18) If no to (17), why not?
http://robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-04-29 Hanging Rock.pdf], and ask -
(1) Is it true that the device on the trailer is monitoring the large slab in the picture for movement as it is positioned directly above a ramp that is in use?
(2) Is it true that there has been movement detected in relation to that slab in the previous six months?
(3) If yes to (2), will the Minister table all movement recorded by the device concerning the slab in the last 36 months?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
(5) Will the Minister state why the large slab was not removed, as the operations progressed passed its present location, to ensure the safety of the operators?
(6) Does the Minister consider this situation to be safe considering that the slab is around three times larger than a Caterpiller 793 haul pack, and that if it came down on anybody, serious injury or death is almost certain?
(7) If no to (6), will the Minister require this slab removed?
(8) Does the Minister approve of the mining practice of leaving the slab in place in its present condition?
(9) When was the last time that an inspection of the pit walls was conducted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, to ensure that all walls were safe in regards to slabs hanging off, rocks sitting on the edge of high walls and batters, and rocks remaining in stopes and drives from the old workings that could be washed out with dirt that rills with the rain?
(10) Has this matter referred to in (9), been investigated by the DMP?
(11) If no to (10), will the Minister urgently require an investigation into this matter?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) Will the Minister state how many complaints have been received, and investigated by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) concerning slabs hanging off, rocks sitting on the edge of high walls and batters, and rocks remaining in stopes and drives from the old workings that could be washed out with dirt that rills with the rain in the last 24 months?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(15) Can the Minister state which sections of the
Mines Safety and Inspections Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
apply?
(16) Will the Minister state the maximum penalty that would apply in relation to these breaches?
(17) Will the Registered Manager, or any other person at KCGM, be prosecuted for these breaches if found to be non compliant?
(18) If no to (17), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
42 days
(1) The device on the trailer is monitoring the large slab but the slab is not directly above the ramp, it is on an inclined pit wall with two catch berms.
(2) Yes
(3) Only low levels of movement have been recorded in the last six months. The last significant movement was in June 2009. This area, and therefore the slab, has not been exposed for 36 months. The trailer mounted radar unit has been in place for four months. Previously the area was monitored using standard surveying equipment. The relevant documents are tabled [see tabled paper ].
(4) Not applicable
(5-6) KCGM has advised the Department of Mines and Petroleum that the slab is being continuously monitored and assessed for instability. There are two catch berms above the ramp as well as a safety bund at the ramp level. Persons are not allowed in the bunded area and the ground is monitored.
(7) It is the statutory responsibility of the mine operator to manage all potential safety hazards.
(8) It is not the statutory responsibility of a Minister to approve mining practices at any mining operation. See response to question 7.
(9) A geotechnical audit was completed within the last three months by a Special Inspector.
(10) See response to question 9.
(11) No
(12) Monitoring of the wall and the slab is the responsibility of the company. The duty to inspect pit walls rests with the quarry manager and appointed supervisors for daily inspections.
Elected safety representatives conduct an inspection of the pit once a month. There have been no complaints to the Department from employees at the mine.
(13-14) No complaints have been received from employees at KCGM relating to the matter of loose rocks on pit walls within the past 24 months.
(15) Regulation 13.8 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulation 1995 deals with geotechnical considerations for open pits.
(16) The penalty for a corporation for breach of regulation 13.8 is $25,000.
(17-18) No breaches have been determined. For a prosecution to be laid there must be admissible evidence to substantiate that an offence has occurred.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(2) Yes
(3) Only low levels of movement have been recorded in the last six months. The last significant movement was in June 2009. This area, and therefore the slab, has not been exposed for 36 months. The trailer mounted radar unit has been in place for four months. Previously the area was monitored using standard surveying equipment. The relevant documents are tabled [see tabled paper ].
(4) Not applicable
(5-6) KCGM has advised the Department of Mines and Petroleum that the slab is being continuously monitored and assessed for instability. There are two catch berms above the ramp as well as a safety bund at the ramp level. Persons are not allowed in the bunded area and the ground is monitored.
(7) It is the statutory responsibility of the mine operator to manage all potential safety hazards.
(8) It is not the statutory responsibility of a Minister to approve mining practices at any mining operation. See response to question 7.
(9) A geotechnical audit was completed within the last three months by a Special Inspector.
(10) See response to question 9.
(11) No
(12) Monitoring of the wall and the slab is the responsibility of the company. The duty to inspect pit walls rests with the quarry manager and appointed supervisors for daily inspections.
Elected safety representatives conduct an inspection of the pit once a month. There have been no complaints to the Department from employees at the mine.
(13-14) No complaints have been received from employees at KCGM relating to the matter of loose rocks on pit walls within the past 24 months.
(15) Regulation 13.8 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulation 1995 deals with geotechnical considerations for open pits.
(16) The penalty for a corporation for breach of regulation 13.8 is $25,000.
(17-18) No breaches have been determined. For a prosecution to be laid there must be admissible evidence to substantiate that an offence has occurred.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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