The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority has announced it is investigating the diversion of some Magellan Metals’ lead shipments by an alternative rail route late last year.
OEPA General Manager Kim Taylor said he had received confirmation that 10 trains carrying 159 containers of Magellan lead had travelled from Forrestfield Container Terminal to the North Fremantle Quay Rail Terminal via the Kwinana Container Terminal rather than directly from Forrestfield to North Fremantle Quay Rail Terminal.
Mr Taylor said this was contrary to the company’s Health Hygiene and Environmental Management Plan which describes the direct route from Forrestfield to North Fremantle.
“There is no suggestion that any lead has escaped from the shipping containers. However, the OEPA is concerned that a decision was taken – apparently by the private rail operator – to divert the trains to an alternate route.”
Mr Taylor said Magellan had voluntarily ceased transporting of lead carbonate and was conducting sampling and isotopic testing on the alternative route to confirm there was no Magellan lead in the environment.
Magellan was also taking steps to amend its contract with the rail operator to ensure there were no future diversions.
He said the diversions occurred during the period 10 November 2010 to 4 January 2011.
Mr Taylor said the matter would also be considered in the Section 46 review of Ministerial conditions being undertaken by the OEPA and as part of the formal investigation into potential breaches of the conditions for the project.
OEPA Media contact: Kim Taylor, 6467 5400
Printer-friendly version