Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions Answers to Questions Whyalla Rare Earths Complex WHYALLA RARE EARTHS COMPLEX The Hon. M. PARNELL Legislative Council WHYALLA RARE EARTHS COMPLEX In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (28 September 2010). The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY Legislative Council Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management WHYALLA RARE EARTHS COMPLEX The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management): I have been provided the following information: Guidelines for the environmental assessment of the proposed Rare Earths Plant at Whyalla have not yet been considered or set by the Development Assessment Commission. I have no doubt that the management of waste residues will be an issue the Commission will require the proponent to thoroughly address. Although the project is at the very preliminary design stage, Arafura Resources has indicated that it is currently planning to return some thorium rich process residues to the mine site for long-term secure storage, but alternative storage facilities for this material nearer to the processing plant will also be investigated. Subject to the major development assessment process, some types of inert processing residues may remain onsite in appropriate, approved storage facilities. The actual volumes that may be generated are yet to be determined, but one of the main reasons for declaring this project to be a major development, pursuant to section 46 of the Development Act 1993, is to enable the highest level of assessment to occur thus ensuring all aspects of the proposal are fully assessed and all standards are met.