MINING LEASE 26/499 —
BREACH
182. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to mining lease 26/499 and a
fine of $19 000 imposed on 17 February 2016 for a breach of conditions 2, 3 and
4 pursuant to section 82(1) of the Mining Act 1978. I note that the forfeitures
officer's letter described the breach as including drill collars that
had not been securely plugged below ground, open sumps, green sample bags left
on the ground and drilling waste.
(1) How many
drill collars were unplugged, how many sumps were open, how many green sample
bags were on the ground and what was the quantity of drilling waste?
(2) Will the
minister table relevant photographs and the diary notes of the inspecting
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety environmental officers?
(3) Given that a mining
proposal was granted and plans were being made to commence an open-cut mining
operation, why was a penalty imposed instead of resolving the matter with a warning
letter?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Mines and Petroleum
has advised that it is not possible to provide the detailed information
requested in the time required. I therefore ask the honourable member to place
the question on notice.