Opposition concerns about extended shell mining at Shark Bay surprising

29/8/94

Environment Minister Kevin Minson said today he was surprised at Opposition outrage to extend shell mining at Shell Beach at Shark Bay.

He said he was particularly perplexed given the lack of any such proposal before the State Government to extend shell mining.

"In fact, it was the Labor government in late January last year which extended shell mining by 7.3 kilometres," Mr Minson said.

"The company was restricted to extracting no more than 5,000 tonnes of shell grit a year from the expanded reserve.

"It is patently hypocritical for Opposition leader Ian Taylor to be courting conservation groups on the one hand when it was his administration which pushed ahead with shell mining in the first place."

Mr Minson said on January 29, 1993 then environment minister Jim McGinty outlined in writing his approval to extend shell mining at Shell Beach.

The Minister said any proposal to extend mining again would have to be approved by the Environmental Protection Authority which would, among other things, determine the resource's sustainability.

He said already the Federal Government had commissioned a study on the sustainability of the shell which is used in high grade lime.

Media contact:  Diana Callander (09) 222 9595 or (09) 321 2222