Three-month explosives amnesty for Goldfields region

14/8/93

Mines Minister George Cash today announced a three-month explosives amnesty for the Goldfields region, to begin on Monday.

Mr Cash said that during that time people in possession of explosives, either legally or illegally, would have the opportunity to pass them on to the Department of Minerals and Energy without fear of prosecution.

He said the aim of the amnesty was to improve public safety and reduce the risk of personal injury or property damage resulting from the misuse of explosives.

"Kalgoorlie has the biggest explosives manufacturing centre in the Southern Hemisphere - the Kalgoorlie Explosives Reserve - and while virtually all explosives produced there are designed for use in the mining industry, not all of them end up on mine sites," Mr Cash said.

"Inevitably, some of these explosives find their way into backyard sheds and other places.

"Some Goldfields people have also inherited unwanted explosives from their parents or a previous home occupier."

Mr Cash said nitroglycerine explosives such as gelignite deteriorated with age and might become more sensitive.

"All detonators are very dangerous if they fall into the hands of inexperienced people, particularly children," he said.

"These sorts of unwanted explosives should be disposed of by an expert and the amnesty gives people an ideal opportunity to safely rid their properties - and their conscience - of these dangerous materials."

People can either deliver unwanted explosives directly to the Kalgoorlie Explosives Reserve or take advantage of a free collection and disposal service.

The Department is interested in collecting detonators, nitroglycerine-based explosives, emulsion and water gel-type explosives, boosters, detonating cord and black powder.

The amnesty covers an area from Wiluna south to Esperance and from Southern Cross east to the South Australian border.

Contact telephone numbers during the amnesty are 008 633 211 (toll free) and 090 218 246 (Kalgoorlie Explosives Reserve).

Media contact: Narelle Cant 222 9211