Wittenoom Soil Sampling ? Stage 2

Blue asbestos (crocidolite) deposits occur naturally throughout the Pilbara and other areas of the State. Approximately 150,000 tonnes of asbestos were extracted commercially from three mines (Yampire, Wittenoom and Colonial) between 1937 and 1966 and the town of Wittenoom was established for the mine workers and their families. It is estimated there are between 2-3 million tonnes of asbestos tailings in Wittenoom Gorge and a smaller volume of tailings (about 15,000 tonnes) in Yampire Gorge. These tailings, which can contain around 5% asbestos, were used in the construction of Wittenoom town, the airstrip and amenities. The migration of the tailings from Wittenoom Gorge from flooding, and dispersal through Joffre Creek and flood plain (towards the Fortescue River) was identified in the 2006 GDH/Parsons Brinckerhof report and remains an outstanding issue. In light of the potential health risk the Wittenoom Asbestos Management Area (WAMA) has been established over the Wittenoom area. This work aims to establish baseline soil and Air sample data point along the WAMA boundary.