More investigations for Orica

Queensland’s Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) is investigating Orica Australia over releases of cyanide into Gladstone Harbour in January and February. It says the company could be fined up to $832,000 if it’s found it failed to properly report the incidents to authorities.

High levels of cyanide can cause fish kills. DERM said there was no evidence so far of environmental damage but tests were continuing, and DERM issued an environmental protection order to Orica on Thursday night, ordering it to cease wastewater releases from its Yarwun chemical plant, eight kilometres northwest of Gladstone.

Orica is licensed to discharge wastewater containing one milligram per litre of cyanide via a trade waste facility, but the company has advised DERM a number of discharges with twice that amount have occurred since January.

“The company will be prevented from further discharging off-site until such time as DERM is satisfied appropriate controls are in place to ensure the company can meet its obligations,” said DERAM Associate Director General Terry Wall.

Orica is one of the largest manufacturers of sodium cyanide in the world, producing around 95,000 tonnes per annum. Sodium cyanide is principally used as a leaching agent in the gold mining industry.

Authorities have recently been investigating the cause of sick fish in Gladstone Harbour and are yet to find a definitive cause.

Source: AAP NewsWire