Brisbane, 28 September 2009
The Argentine Federal Court of Higher Review has on September 24 declared null and void the prosecution of Julian Rooney, Xstrata Copper General Manager Public Policy and Government Relations South America, concerning alleged contamination by Minera Alumbrera.
In 1999, the authorities received certain allegations of contamination by Minera Alumbrera of the DP2 drainage canal. After nine years, the Federal Appeals Court in Tucuman decided in May 2008 to prosecute a representative of Minera Alumbrera, for alleged violation of the National Dangerous Waste Law. Under Argentine law, legal cases concerning potential environmental contamination cannot be brought against a corporate entity. Minera Alumbrera has always vigorously denied these allegations and appealed against this decision. The case was subsequently heard by the Argentine Federal Court of Higher Review, which has now ruled that the judgment ordering the prosecution was null and void.
Minera Alumbrera holds a permit to discharge treated water into the DP2 canal from its Filter Plant in Cruz del Norte, Tucuman province, which is renewed periodically subject to meeting regulatory requirements. Discharges are monitored by the provincial environmental and mining authorities to ensure they comply with regulatory limits and no contraventions have ever been found.
Minera Alumbrera has been granted ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation by Bureau Veritas and obtained ISO 17025 Standard certification for its state-of-the-art effluent control laboratory at the Filter Plant, which monitors effluent treatment practices on an ongoing basis.
Xstrata Copper is committed to the highest environmental standards. All operations are required to meet and where practicable, exceed relevant laws, regulations and standards, aspiring to achieve the highest international standards, regardless of location and without exception. Environmental management systems consistent with ISO14001 and international best practice standards are in place at every site. Regular internal and external audits are conducted of our operations to assure compliance with Xstrata’s business principles, policies and standards.
Ends
Xstrata Copper contacts |
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Emily Russell |
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Telephone |
+44 1865 510918 |
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Mobile |
+44 7795 571023 |
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erussell@xstratacopper.com |
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Notes for editors
ABOUT XSTRATA COPPER
Headquartered in Brisbane, Xstrata Copper is one of the commodity business units within the major global diversified mining group Xstrata plc. Its operations and projects span eight countries: Australia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Canada, the USA, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Its operations are administered by five separate divisions, based close to the mining operations, namely the North Queensland, Alumbrera, North Chile, Southern Peru and Canada divisions. It also has a recycling business (Xstrata Recycling) with plants in the United States and offices in Canada and Asia.
Xstrata Copper is the fourth largest global copper producer with annual attributable copper production capacity of over one million tonnes.
ABOUT MINERA ALUMBRERA
Bajo de la Alumbrera is a copper-gold mine located in northwest Argentina's Catamarca province.
Minera Alumbrera has the right to mine the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit under a joint venture with
Yacimientos Mineros de Aguas de Dionisio (YMAD), which holds the title to the deposit. YMAD is a
statutory corporation composed of the Catamarca Provincial Government and the National Tucumán
University and is entitled to 20% of Minera Alumbrera's net proceeds.
Xstrata Copper manages and has a 50% controlling interest in Minera Alumbrera while Canadian
companies Goldcorp and Yamana Gold own the remaining 37.5% and 12.5% respectively.
Minera Alumbrera is subject to controls by local and national authorities, including SEGEMAR under the Argentine Mining Department, the Tucumán Environmental Department, the Provincial Health System (SIPROSA), the Tucumán Mining and Energy Department and the Catamarca Mining Department.
Minera Alumbrera has been granted ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation by Bureau Veritas and obtained ISO 17025 Standard certification for its state-of-the-art effluent control laboratory, which monitors effluent treatment practices on an ongoing basis.