Uncontrolled Release of Tailings

Uncontrolled Release of Tailings  

DSDBI says "Leave spill in the bush. Clean up the roads."

From the AGD ERC Meeting Minutes, Quarter 2, 2009:

W** [AGD] explained that on Thursday 3rd September at ~7:45 there was an uncontrolled release of tailings where the tailings line had come apart. This resulted in tailings overflowing from the trench and into surrounding vegetation, covering approximately one hectare. W** noted that he had instructed his staff to shut down the tailings system immediately. DPI was informed and inspected the spill with DSE and EPA; recommendations were then developed by all three regulators. Two samples of the spill were taken and sent off for analysis of gold, stignite [sic: stibnite], arsenic and cyanide. Cyanide levels were lower than those possible of detection; as a result DSE advised to leave the spill material amongst vegetation and to clean up the roadways with loaders.

W** explained that the pipe burst due to a failure of the pressure warning system. B** [DSDBI] noted that the problem was exacerbated by blocked channel pipes which should have directed the released tailings from the trench into the Bombay dam; instead it filled the trench and then flowed over the bund walls. EPA is still investigating the issue.

***

"[R]ecommendations were then developed by all three regulators"... sounds hopeful; something comprehensive's gonna be done in follow up, what with three highly qualified regulators on the job. What were their recommendations again?

Oh... right... leave it in the bush and clean up the road with 'delicate spill mitigation equipment', no doubt, (oh...sorry, that's right. Loaders!). Don't want to inconvenience the trucks. Hang on! "Roadways"... seriously, how big was this spill?

"Cyanide levels were lower than those possible of detection; as a result..." Hang on a sec! What about the levels of "gold, stignite [and] arsenic" that were tested for? Of cadmium and lead that weren't? Obviously the gold levels were low or they'd have dug it up again! And it's a safe bet they didn't find any stignite in there, either... ;)

• What about the rest of the stuff? 
• Why was cyanide the defining measurement ("as a result")? 
• Where was the contaminated material taken? 
• What were contamination levels on the road after the "clean up"? Now? 
• What are the contamination levels in the "vegetation" now?

If I light an incinerator and burn household waste in my backyard I get fined. No second or third chances. No excuses.

If I speed and get caught I get fined. No second or third chances. No excuses.

Fines are a great way to create better businesses, according to the EPA - Fine creates better business.

Was a fine issued to AGD for this oxymoronic, ahem, "uncontrolled release"? 

(The euphemisms these people use... "ponds", "uncontrolled release"...)

For this environmental breach?
For this spill?
For this pollution?
If so, how much?
If not, why not, EPA? DSDBI? DPI? DSE?

"EPA is still investigating."

Can we see the reports?

The pumping system is going to be upgraded as part of the new extensions to the Bombay Tailings Storage Facility, isn't it? Part of the Permit? Another Work Plan Variation? The pressure release valves brought in to replace this failed system will still "release uncontrollably" the contents of the length of pipe they monitor should there be a breach, right? However long the pipe may be? Is that good enough?

What is world's absolute best practice for all of this? We're Australians, we'll take one of those, please.

In the Minutes for the ERC Meeting for Quarter 3 2009, a DSDBI Officer "noted that the temporary permit to pump into the Brunswick TSF does not exist anymore".

Can we see the new/subsequent permit or permits?