Xstrata Mount Isa Mines announced that it takes its environmental responsibility seriously and has implemented a number of environmental improvements, since Xstrata acquired the mine in 2003, to ensure our operations are environmentally sustainable and that our impact on the environment is minimized.
Mr Steve de Kruijff said COO of Xstrata Copper North Queensland said that “the safety of our employees and the community is our highest priority and we aim to continually improve our environmental performance. Since Xstrata’s involvement began in 2003, we have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on over 80 environmental improvements which are enabling us to progress towards capturing 95% of our emissions.”
He added that these improvements include:
1. The installation of four converter hoods in the copper smelter in September 2007 to reduce the likelihood of fugitive emissions coming from this part of the smelting process
2. Purchasing an in line stack monitor for real time measurement of sulphur dioxide emissions not captured and treated in the third party owned Acid Plant
3. The installation of a new furnace cooling water system in the lead smelter to enable improved process control in the blast furnace.
4. The purchase of heavy duty industrial vacuum trucks and sweepers to collect dust within our operation
Mr de Kruijff said that “We have a comprehensive sulphur dioxide, dust and heavy metals monitoring network that measures emission levels in the community. Fifteen monitoring stations throughout the town measure air quality levels, 10 sulphur dioxide real time monitoring stations ensure smelters operate within accepted regulatory limits. We also have five high volume dust samplers.”
Mr de Kruijff said that high levels of lead naturally occur in Mount Isa. Mineralised outcrops were identified in Mount Isa around 80 years ago as part of the early exploration program. He added that “There are high levels of lead in the dirt and rock on which Mount Isa is built. That is why the mine is here and it is why the town was built in this location.”
Mr de Kruijff said that “Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has for many years been playing an active role in partnership with local and State Government to manage the issue of living with naturally occurring lead. In particular, throughout last year, we met regularly with the Queensland Government and Mount Isa City Council to discuss and actively support the progress of Queensland Health’s Get Bled for Lead awareness campaign.”
He added that the campaign encouraged Mount Isa residents to have their children’s blood tested for lead. Queensland Health expects to release its official screening program report in the coming weeks.
