A 2020 hypersaline water spill at Marvel Loch Gold Mine has resulted in a $20,000 fine for a Goldfields mine site operator.
A Department of Water and Environmental Regulation investigation found that Barto Gold Mining discharged a large volume of hypersaline water from its operations which travelled approximately 1.5km from the site, impacting vegetation and a neighbouring farming property.
Barto operates the Marvel Gold Mine in Marvel Loch, located in the Shire of Yilgarn. On 10 August 2022 in the Perth Magistrates Court, Magistrate Sarah Oliver accepted Barto’s guilty plea for the offence of Environmental Harm under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The court heard that on 3 March 2020, hypersaline water was discharged from the mine site via a disused pipe and flowed onto neighbouring Crown land. It passed down a creek line for approximately 1.5km before ultimately discharging onto nearby farmland and into a dam used for watering stock.
The spill killed native vegetation and approximately 6.42ha of native vegetation was affected.
In imposing the sentence, Ms Oliver said the conduct warranted punishment and a general deterrence was important, but she also noted that Barto had demonstrated remorse and put in place measures to remediate the damage caused.
As well as the $20,000 fine, Barto was ordered to pay $2,028.30 in costs.
DWER Executive Director, Compliance and Enforcement, Kelly Faulkner, said she welcomed the court’s decision.
“It is essential that mining operations ensure they appropriately manage waste streams and emissions,” Ms Faulkner said.
“On this occasion this did not occur which resulted in the investigation and outcome.”
