With reference to the answers to questions on notice nos 2066 and 2091
(Senate Hansard, 19 June 1995, pp 1380 and 1395, respectively) and question on
notice no 200 (Senate Hansard, 26 November 1996, p.6069):
(1) Was drilling of production seepage recovery bores carried out on
Hampton Location 32 Trans Australian Railway near Fimiston 11 tailings dam
near cell B, paddock west, in the period between 20 January 1997 to 23 January
1997.
(2) (a) How many bores were drilled; and (b) how long did each bore take
to drill and construct.
(3) To what depth were these bores drilled and constructed.
(4) Who carried out this work.
(5) What is the purpose of these bores.
(6) Are these bores for monitoring ground water levels.
(7) Are these bores for taking water samples.
(8) Did excavations with mechanical equipment take place near the site
of the drill holes.
(9) Can a plan showing the location of these new bores, along with all
the monitoring bores, production seepage recovery bores and interceptor
trenching located near Croesus/Fimiston 1 and Fimiston 11 and Oraya tailings
dam be provided.
(10) Will further seepage recovery or monitoring bores be constructed in
future on Hampton Location 32 Trans Australian Railway.
Senator Alston--The Minister for Transport and Regional Development
has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's
question, based on advice from the Australian National Railways
Commission (AN):
(1) Drilling was carried out on the eastern side of the railway line at
the site mentioned between or about the dates given.
(2) (a) Three bores were drilled on AN land; and (b) the average time
for each bore was approximately one day.
(3) AN has not been able to provide precise information on the depth of
the bores, but estimates that the depth was between 15 and 20 metres.
(4) The hydrologist was Peter Clifton and Associates and the drilling
contractor was NuDrill.
(5) The purpose of these bores is to control ground water levels. It is
assumed seepage from the Fimiston tailings dam is being recovered.
(6) No. See the answer to (5).
(7) No. See the answer to (5). However, it is understood that KCGM takes
water samples from the bores.
(8) Yes. Standard practice is to construct temporary sumps to contain
any water which is extracted from the bore during the drilling process.
(9) AN does not hold a plan of the area with these items marked.
(10) AN has advised that further bores are envisaged at this stage. The
advice of the hydrologist and the Western Australian Environment Protection
Authority would be used to determine the need and extent of additional
bores.
[end quote]
--
Arthur Marsh, telephone +61-8-8370-2365, fax +61-8-8223-5082
arthur@dircsa.org.au
.endofsig