Antinuclear

Senator Ludlam asks awkward questions on Wiluna uranium mine project

WILUNA URANIUM PROJECT – MINE CLOSURE PLAN http://www.greens.org.au/wiluna-uranium-project-mine-closure-plan Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee   Answers to questions on notice   Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio
Budget Estimates, May 2013

Topic: Wiluna uranium project – mine closure plan
Senator Ludlam asked:  But how much work around mine closure had been assessed by the minister? Presumably, something must have been done or he would not have had the confidence to give this thing the tick, even a conditional tick?
Ms Jones: Through the assessment process there were assessment documentation in draft and final form. Supplementary information was sought by the minister from the proponent on issues that cut across this matter. To give a succinct response, I would probably have to take that on notice and come back to you, Senator.
Senator LUDLAM: Maybe if you could, yes. I am interested in the degree to which the approval conditions side is open-ended. Does it have any lapse date at all, or is this an approval in eternity? If the company comes back in 20 years, will it be live, or does it have a lapse date?
Answer:
The proposed action was assessed by the Western Australian Environment Protection Authority under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Western Australian Government. The State assessment report addressed the issue of mine closure, including assessment of an Environmental Management Strategy for Mine Closure and Rehabilitation provided by the proponent. The Minister considered the State assessment report. The Minister also sought further information from the proponent in relation to the long-term integrity of the tailings storage facility, which was reviewed by the Supervising Scientist Division, Geoscience Australia and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
The approval is valid until 31 March 2043. Condition 2 of the approval states that if, at any time after five years from the date of this approval, the person taking the action has not commenced the action, then the person taking the action must not commence the action without the written agreement of the Minister.

August 10, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics, Western Australia