LITHIUM REFINERY —
KWINANA — MINES SAFETY AND INSPECTION LEVY
504. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
This question was not registered as
received, so if the answer is not available, I will ask it again tomorrow. I refer
to the minister's answer to my question yesterday concerning the
potential application of the mine safety and inspection levy to planned and
prospective lithium refineries.
(1) If the
classification of a facility as a mining operation is as clear cut as section
4(1) of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 outlines, why is the minister's
department discussing the issue of classification with project proponents at
all?
(2) Has the
department advised the minister of the financial benefits that would accrue to
the state government if lithium refineries were classified as mining operations
subject to the levy?
(3) If yes to (2), what are the
details?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I am pleased to advise the member
that the question has been received and I thank him for it. The following
information has been provided by the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
(1) On occasion,
despite the view of the regulator, proponents contend that the activities
conducted on their proposed project do not fall within the definition of ''mining
operations'' as outlined in section 4(1) of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994. When these occasions arise, the
proponent is provided with the opportunity to state their position to the State
Mining Engineer. The current discussions reflect this process.
(2) No. There are no financial benefits to the state,
as all receipts under the mines safety and inspection levy are held in a special
purpose account and expended solely for the purpose of administering the Mines
Safety and Inspection Act.
(3) Not applicable.