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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 115 asked in the Legislative Council on 19 February 2020 by Hon Robin Chapple

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

FLOODING — WILUNA URANIUM MINE — TROPICAL CYCLONE BLAKE

115. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:

I refer to the recent and catastrophic flooding in Wiluna from tropical cyclone Blake and the proposed Wiluna uranium mine.

(1) Will the department be reviewing or requiring the proponent, Toro Energy, to review and assess the structural impacts to the test pit on the edge of Lake Way, which was completed?

(2) If no to (1), why not?

(3) The area proposed for tailings storage known as ''Centipede'' was inundated with water in the 2015 flood. Will the minister or the department be reviewing the flood impact on the proposed tailings storage facility or requiring the proponent to report on this aspect?

(4) If no to (3), why not?

(5) Given the increased intensity and frequency of flooding in that region of WA, will the minister and/or the department be reviewing the sustainability of tailings storage containing radioactive material on the edge of Lake Way?

(6) If no to (5), why not?

Hon DARREN WEST replied:

On behalf of the Minister for Regional Development, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, I provide the following answer.

(1) Yes. Toro Energy is required to continuously review the integrity of the rehabilitated test pit to ensure that it complies with all tenement conditions. The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will ensure that there are no adverse impacts via the monitoring it undertakes under its compliance regime.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) This aspect was assessed via the previous environmental assessment under part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the associated ministerial statement issued in 2012. It is also noted that Toro Energy is yet to submit a mining proposal for assessment under the Mining Act 1978. Further assessment will occur by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety via the mining proposal assessment process under the Mining Act 1978 and the project management plan assessment process under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

(4) Not applicable.

(5) This aspect was appropriately assessed via the previous environmental assessment under part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the associated ministerial statement issued in 2012. Further assessment will occur via the mining proposal assessment process under the Mining Act 1978 and the project management plan assessment process under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

(6) Not applicable.