Following on from last week’s announcement that Ranger Uranium Mine was leaking 100,000 L of water per day, MINING DAILY can confirm that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently investigating a further 10 mines that have had potentially toxic water flow off-site.
Some of north-west Queensland’s biggest mines are amongst those being investigated by the EPA after on-site water overflowed.
Of greatest concern is the Lady Annie mine, north-west of Mount Isa, where two waterways – contaminated with heavy metals – do not even meet the Australian Water Quality Guidelines for stock watering.
The EPA has said the mine will be required to manage the welfare of affected cattle.
Others being investigated include Xstrata’s Mount Isa Mines, Mount Oxide – north-west of Mount Isa – and Oz Minerals’ Century Mine in the Gulf of Carpentaria.