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Xstrata Mount Isa Mines rejects allegations of alleged scientific "cover up" (PDF)

Mount Isa, Friday 30 May 2008

Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has rejected allegations of a “cover up” of scientific reports.

According to some media reports, an email from Dr Niels Munksgaard from Charles Darwin University refers to a study conducted by himself and his research team in 1997-98 as part of the Mount Isa Mines Limited Panel Assessment Study (PAS). The study was reportedly conducted in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Dr Munksgaard is allegedly claiming that the report published on the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website does not contain full scientific data and conclusions.

It is Xstrata Mount Isa Mines’ understanding that all PAS material is available on the EPA website and has been for many years. One of the supporting reports to the PAS’ final report is entitled MIM – Emissions and the environment – final report to Mount Isa Mines Limited. This report is also published on the EPA website. This report was prepared by the CSIRO and Northern Territory University and Dr Munksgaard appears as a contributor and co-author to this report.

Steve de Kruijff, Chief Operating Officer, Xstrata Copper North Queensland said "We understand this is the report being referred to in Dr Munksgaard’s email. We will endeavour to speak to Dr Munksgaard to find out if the data he is referring to is not included in this report. However, it is likely that the final report would have been approved and endorsed by the CSIRO who were the scientific authority on the Panel.

“We understand that the isotopic studies conducted by Dr Munksgaard and his team were predominantly focussed on the area north west of the Mount Isa Mines smelters, away from the town. The results of these studies are not an assessment of issues relating to the community of Mount Isa or the health of its residents.

"The PAS was conducted in an open and transparent manner and the final report was delivered in February 2001. The main objective of the PAS was to report on the environmental impact of sulphur dioxide emissions from smelters and the likely reductions from when the acid plant was operating," he said.

Members of the PAS included the EPA, CSIRO, Australian Workers Union (AWU), a consultant metallurgical engineer, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), Mount Isa City Council, Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce, and nominees from Mount Isa Mines (MIM) and Western Mining Corporation (WMC).

The Queensland Minister for Environment set the terms of reference and appointed the independent panel.

Steve de Kruijff, Chief Operating Officer, Xstrata Copper North Queensland said "Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is committed to continuous environmental improvement and we have strong support from our local community. All we ask for is some balance in the reporting of this issue.

"We are proud of our environmental performance and our commitment to the health and safety of our employees and the community," he said. 

“We have an extensive network of monitoring systems in the community and consistently report well below the EPA limit of 1.5 micrograms per cubic metre for lead levels.

“We have reduced sulphur dioxide emissions from the copper smelter by 77% since 2000, and further initiatives to improve emissions capture are being identified through the Smelter Emissions Project with a target of 95% capture and treatment of sulphur dioxide emissions from the copper smelter,” he said.

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