THE QUEENSLAND Department of Environment and Resource Management is investigating Queensland Alumina’s Gladstone alumina refinery after it released a plume of alkaline material on 25 May 2009.
The plume release from the refinery was caused by a failed valve. DERM has issued Queensland Alumina with an Environmental Protection Order to ensure the valve is fixed quickly, and that all necessary maintenance and integrity standards are met before the plant is brought back online.
DERM says its officers are investigating the adequacy of Queensland Alumina’s maintenance and monitoring programs. DERM says its investigations will also assess potential environmental impacts, and to determine what statutory action, if any, should be taken against the company.
Queensland Alumina has placed caustic collection pads in the path of the caustic plume to monitor dispersion and deposition of the caustic material. It has also inspected vehicles, caravans and boats in the area of the release to see if any have been affected by the plume.
This caustic release is the second for the Queensland Alumina refinery in 2009. The January incident, in the same area of the plant, involved a burst pipe. Queensland Alumina replaced and upgraded the support structures that led to the failure in January.
Add a comment