Regulation 675UK of the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WHS Mines Regulations) requires information about high risk mining activities at a mine to be notified to the regulator. Schedule 23 Item 11 of the WHS Mines Regulations outlines requirements for further information specific to tailings storage facilities.
Notification is required 45 days prior to commencing construction of, or making a substantial change to, a tailings storage facility at a surface mine.
Submission
All mine operators planning to commence construction of a new tailings storage facility (TSF) or make a substantial change to a facility are required to submit a HRA notification. This includes notification from underground mine operators where a TSF is a part of the surface operations on the site.
For an existing TSF for which subsequent lifts design details and construction methods have already been included in a previous HRA notification, no further HRA notification is required for the construction of the lifts included in that notification.
However, if the subsequent lift design details and construction methods have not been included in a previous HRA notification, a new HRA notification is required 45 days prior to commencing construction of, or making a substantial change to an existing TSF.
Under the Mining Act 1978, a mining proposal is required for submission and approval for mining activities that include tailings storage facilities. Design documents and risk assessments utilised in the approval process under the Mining Act 1978 may also be relevant for the high risk mining activity notification under the WHS Mines Regulations.
High risk mining activity notification document has been provided by DEMIRS for submission through the Safety Regulation System (SRS)
Information required
The HRA notification comprises of four parts with Part A and B dedicated to general information.
Part C details the high risk mining activity aimed at the construction and quality control activities to ensure a safe work environment is maintained and the facility is a safe stable construction for life of mine and post-closure landform. Examples of information that may meet the notification requirements include (but not be limited to):
| Information required | Provide comments and/or advise location within relevant attachments |
|---|---|
| The nature of the proposed high risk activity, including particulars of how the activity is to be carried out. | Construction Scope of Works document |
| The location of the activity | Scaled plan that includes TSF and surrounding infrastructure |
| The hazards identified as having the potential to arise from the activity |
|
| An assessment of the risks associated with the activity. | Construction risk assessment |
| The relevant parts of the mine safety management system for the mine that describe the systems, procedures, plans and other control measures that will be used to control risks to health and safety associated with the carrying out of the activity. | List of relevant documents or a copy of the mine safety management system that highlights relevant sections for construction activities |
Part D details the high risk mining activity aimed at the design, operation and closure of the facility to ensure a safe work environment is maintained and the facility is safe, stable and non-polluting for life of mine and post-closure. Examples of information that may meet the notification requirements include (but not be limited to):
| Information required | Provide comments and/or advise location within relevant attachments |
|---|---|
| Design details and calculations | Design report |
| Construction method | Upstream, centreline, downstream, integrated waste landform |
| Risk assessment and control measures | For maintaining a safe stable non-polluting facility |
References
- Work Health and Safety Act 2020
- Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022
- Tailings storage facilities in Western Australia code of practice
Need more information?
Contact WorkSafe on 1300 307 877 or safety@demirs.wa.gov.au