Xstrata plays down smelter health risks

Xstrata plays down smelter health risks

ABC News - http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1668920.htm

22nd June 2006

Mining giant Xstrata says there will always be a small risk associated with industrial emissions from its copper and lead smelter at Mount Isa in north-west Queensland.

Queensland Health will begin testing blood samples from children after concerns were raised about possible fallout from the smelter.

Xstrata's Ed Turley says the emissions are within Australian regulatory requirements, but the company is continually working to improve its environmental performance.

"There will always be a risk, you can never can say there will be zero risk, but I believe that the various management strategies that are in place and that's both from an environmental perspective in terms of emissions and in terms of health and safety and hygiene, are sufficient to manage the risk associated with lead in the community," he said.