New conditions covering Super Pit gold mine

New conditions covering the operation of the Super Pit open cut gold mine would incorporate a 400-metre safety exclusion zone, Goldfields parliamentarians Ian Taylor and Julian Grill announced today.

The new conditions, which will apply progressively as the pit expands, were determined by the Department of Minerals and Energy after taking into account the potential for uncontrolled fly rock and pit wall collapse.

"Details of the new conditions were outlined at meetings in Kalgoorlie yesterday of the Golden Mile Mining Development planning committee and its community-based sub-committee," Mr Taylor said today.

"The 400-metre safety exclusion zone will always apply from the pit perimeter.

"The operating company (currently KCGM) will be responsible for ensuring that as it progressively expands its area of activities, it complies with conditions set down by the Department."

The local members said the determination of the SEZ was in accordance with State Cabinet's decision of December 4, 1991, which endorsed moves to separate mining from residential or other non-compatible uses.

"The company provided the department with all its available geotechnical information," Mr Taylor said.

"This has been used to determine the area likely to be affected by long-term, post-mining subsidence of the ground along the pit edge.

"Officers from the Department of Minerals and Energy also considered KCGM's blasting practices and a range of similar operations within the State.

"They have determined that the minimum safe distance which can be applied to this operation to ensure public safety from fly rock is 400 metres."

The State mining engineer will formally notify the operator that mining activity involving blasting is prohibited within 400 metres of residential properties unless the company has negotiated to purchase the properties from the owners.

"The company's mining proposals involve progressive expansion of its open pit operations over approximately the next seven years to what it predicts from present calculations will be the ultimate open pit limit," Mr Grill said.

"This progressive development will allow time for the company to negotiate directly with any residents living within the final extent of the SEZ with the objective of purchasing the property and arriving at agreements with the residents."

"It will also allow those residents who wish to remain there in the interim to do so on an agreed basis, subject to safety requirements," Mr Taylor said.

"Rather than a single 'one-off' pronouncement, this progressive condition will ensure a gradual impact on the local communities of Hainault Road and Powell Street and other parts of Boulder.  Williamstown residents will not be affected as the Super Pit will not extend to within 400 metres of their properties."

Mr Taylor and Mr Grill said it was important, however, that the estimated final exclusion zone be outlined and incorporated as soon as possible into the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder town plan.

"We need to ensure in discussions with the city planners that the integrity of the safety exclusion zone is maintained," Mr Taylor said.