Queensland mines working overtime in flood emergency PDF Print E-mail
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Thursday, 30 December 2010 10:05


Queensland mine company management and employees are working overtime to avoid any environmental harm in the face of recent torrential rains and flooding.

Michael Roche, chief executive of peak industry body the Queensland Resources Council, saidy that mining industry employees were working around the clock in very difficult conditions to manage huge quantities of water that have inundated mines, especially in central Queensland's Bowen Basin.

'In full consultation with the state government's environmental regulator (DERM), some coal mines and gas operations have discharged water safely into strongly flowing local watercourses when it has been impossible to manage floodwater on-site." Mr Roche said.

'As the acting Queensland Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change made clear in a statement on Wednesday, the risk of environmental harm is low.
'We are talking about dilution factors akin to emptying a thimbleful of water into a swimming pool.

'I want to acknowledge for the record the excellent cooperation received from DERM officers both in the lead up to and during this difficult period.
'DERM has kept a firm eye on the key issue for them, which is risk of environmental harm.'

Mr Roche said close cooperation between industry and the regulator would need to be maintained throughout the wet season.

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