Qld mine owners fined for toxic release

The former owners of a northwest Queensland mine have received a record fine for contaminating local waterways.

The Mount Isa Magistrates Court on Thursday ordered the former owners of the Lady Annie Mine, 120km northwest of Mt Isa, pay $500,000 after an uncontrolled release of contaminated water during the 2009 wet season.

CopperCo Ltd was charged with causing serious environmental harm under the Environmental Protection Act.

The company pleaded guilty to the offence, which related to an uncontrolled release of contaminated water from stormwater ponds to surrounding creeks, the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) said.

It was the most serious water contamination in Queensland’s history, according to the department.

“The contamination extended for 52 kilometres and was highly toxic, killing freshwater crabs and fish,” DERM Assistant Director-General Dean Ellwood said in a statement.

“DERM also received calls from downstream landholders expressing concern that poor water quality within Saga and Inca Creeks could harm livestock.”

The former owners were also ordered to pay $83,109.55 in investigation costs.

They have already been made to spend an estimated $11 million to clean up and rehabilitate the site, DERM said.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the record fine should send a strong message to the mining industry.

The Liberal National Party supported mining companies that maintained high standards, he said.

“We support those who do the right thing and will hold to account those who do not,” Mr Seeney said in a statement.

Two others mines in the region have been fined for serious breaches of the Environmental Protection Act during the 2008-2009 wet season.

MMG Century Limited was fined $130,000, and Ernst Henry Mine was fined $100,000.