❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses concerns about seepage from the Fimiston I tailings storage facility, questioning the Department of Environment's (DoE) oversight and licensing practices regarding KCGM's operations. The Minister confirms seepage issues and clarifies licensing conditions over time.
AnsweredQoN 2889Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Environmental Assessment Report dated Monday August 15 2005, for Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Works Approval Fimiston I tailings storage facility height increase -
(1) Is it correct that the final Thompson and Brett report confirmed that since being commissioned in 1988, there has been seepage beneath the Fimiston I facility at an approximate rate of 2000 m3 per day?
(2) If no to (1), how much seepage per day since being commissioned has there been in litres and Gigalitres?
(3) Is it correct that the DEP considers that a permeability of 10-9 metres per second which equates to about a water seepage rate of three centimetres per year as being impervious for their purpose?
(4) If no to (3), then why not?
(5) Can the Minister confirm that the Final Thompson and Brett Report dated October 12 2004 in part states ‘It is concluded that this has led to a rise in groundwater levels within a range of 12 to 20m depending on location. The seepage mound has extended up to 2km from the source, resulting in a combined mound covering an area of 15-20km2. The seepage mound has introduced elevated salinity and other contaminants into the natural groundwater.’?
(6) If no to (5), what specifically does it state?
(7) Can the Minister explain how the Department of Environment (DoE) has allowed and permitted seepage from the Fimiston I tailings facility to travel up to 2 km from the source given that KCGM signed a document stating that the dam was constructed in accordance with the works approval which required the dam to be impervious and not have any waste water leaving the tailings dam?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Did the DoE licence the Fimiston I Tailings storage facility when it was first commissioned on the basis that seepage emissions from the Fimiston I Tailings storage facility would travel up to 2 km from its source and even further?
(10) If yes to (9), why?
(11) Did the DoE licence the Fimiston I tailings storage facility when it was commissioned that seepage would be allowed to leak causing the water table to rise to within very close proximity to the surface of Bulong Road where reports identify that damp patches of seepage extended across a major public road?
(12) If yes to (11), why?
(1) Is it correct that the final Thompson and Brett report confirmed that since being commissioned in 1988, there has been seepage beneath the Fimiston I facility at an approximate rate of 2000 m3 per day?
(2) If no to (1), how much seepage per day since being commissioned has there been in litres and Gigalitres?
(3) Is it correct that the DEP considers that a permeability of 10-9 metres per second which equates to about a water seepage rate of three centimetres per year as being impervious for their purpose?
(4) If no to (3), then why not?
(5) Can the Minister confirm that the Final Thompson and Brett Report dated October 12 2004 in part states ‘It is concluded that this has led to a rise in groundwater levels within a range of 12 to 20m depending on location. The seepage mound has extended up to 2km from the source, resulting in a combined mound covering an area of 15-20km2. The seepage mound has introduced elevated salinity and other contaminants into the natural groundwater.’?
(6) If no to (5), what specifically does it state?
(7) Can the Minister explain how the Department of Environment (DoE) has allowed and permitted seepage from the Fimiston I tailings facility to travel up to 2 km from the source given that KCGM signed a document stating that the dam was constructed in accordance with the works approval which required the dam to be impervious and not have any waste water leaving the tailings dam?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Did the DoE licence the Fimiston I Tailings storage facility when it was first commissioned on the basis that seepage emissions from the Fimiston I Tailings storage facility would travel up to 2 km from its source and even further?
(10) If yes to (9), why?
(11) Did the DoE licence the Fimiston I tailings storage facility when it was commissioned that seepage would be allowed to leak causing the water table to rise to within very close proximity to the surface of Bulong Road where reports identify that damp patches of seepage extended across a major public road?
(12) If yes to (11), why?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 November 2005
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
19 days
The Minister for the Environment; Science has provided the following response: (1) Yes. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. (2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(2) Not applicable. (3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(3) Yes, the permeability is considered impervious at 10-9 metres per second, though the water seepage rate depends on the hydraulic gradient available. Based on a hydraulic gradient of 1 the seepage rate for each square meter would be 3cm per year, with a greater hydraulic gradient increasing this rate. (4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable. (5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(5) Yes. (6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(6) Not applicable. (7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(7) A works approval requires the facility to be built in a certain way. Once the facility is in operation a licence will cover the ongoing management and maintenance. Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
Early licences relating to KCGM's Fimiston operations contain the following condition, " All matter containing saline, alkaline or cyanide constituents shall be retained within impervious holding facilities, such that there is no discernible impairment of surface or underground waters ". KCGM's most recent licence states that, " The licensee shall manage the storage of all matter containing cyanide, saline or alkaline constituents within holding facilities in a manner, which prevents pollution ." The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
The earliest licences for the Fimiston operation did not have the requirement of preventing seepage crossing the premise or lease boundaries. (8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(8) Not applicable. (9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(9) See answer to question (7). (10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(10) Not applicable. (11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(11) See answer to question (7). (12) Not applicable.
(12) Not applicable.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.