Mining

19 February 2001

35 million litres of contaminated water being released into McArthur River daily

The Environment Centre NT has condemned MRM, operators of the McArthur River mine, for the continued release of contaminated mine water into the McArthur River. Environment Centre Coordinator Mark Wakeham said today:

"The release of tailings water contaminated with zinc and lead into the McArthur River is unacceptable. The company is basically using the river as a sewer with potentially fatal impacts on downstream wildlife."

"The mining company, MRM, is blaming heavy rain for the situation which has seen an accumulation of contaminated water on the mine site. Every mining company operating across northern Australia must be aware of the annual monsoonal conditions. If a mine cannot cope with the rainfall associated with cyclones and other extreme weather conditions that are a fact of life in the Territory then it should not be allowed to continue to operate."

"The Northern Territory Government has once again authorised the release of contaminated water from a mine site, raising serious questions about their responsibility as a regulator of mining activities."

"The NT Government must now critically analyse the environmental performance of the McArthur River mine. If the mine cannot operate safely in extreme weather conditions then it should be closed" said Mr Wakeham.

For more information on mining issues contact ECNT:
Phone: 08 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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