Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 18 February 2002:

With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 3649 (Senate Hansard, 20 August 2001, p 26206), in which the Minister indicated that in certain circumstances the disposal of mine tailings into the oceans may be appropriate but that it was considered that the disposal of mine tailings into rivers in Australia was inappropriate: Does Environment Australia consider there are circumstances in which the riverine disposal of mine tailings by Australian companies operating overseas could ever be best environmental practice; if so, under what circumstances.

Senator Hill (Minister for Defence) —The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The determination of what is the best practice mine tailings disposal mechanism for a specific project is dependent on the geophysical, biophysical and climatic conditions of the mineral province in which the mine is located, and is ultimately the decision of the host country. The consideration of any proposal should include independent scientific evaluation of all options. Environment Australia expects Australian companies to employ best practice environmental management wherever they operate. This may include riverine disposal where other disposal options, including the construction of safe, stable, conventional storage facilities, are not viable.