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.