MARTUWARRA FITZROY RIVER — EXPLORATION TENEMENTS
98. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the minister representing the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I note that the recently granted
Aries and Calwynyardah exploration tenements form part of a proposed diamond
mining precinct across the whole catchment of the national heritage–listed
Martuwarra Fitzroy River. Did the Minister
for Mines and Petroleum satisfy himself before granting the Aries tenement on
10 October 2017 that it will not cause contamination in the form of —
(a) ammonium nitrate in
groundwater;
(b) asbestos in waste rock dumps;
(c) waste rock releasing salts or
acids into waterways; or
(d) any other
toxic chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances,
petrochemicals, metals in soils or groundwater?
If so, what information, studies, data,
assurances and undertakings has the minister obtained to form those views?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the
question. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum has provided the following
answer.
(a)–(d) The granting of an exploration licence does not
authorise mechanised ground disturbance. Any subsequent mining will
require assessment under the state's environmental legislation.