Xstrata Copper North Queensland.pdf - Mount Isa Mines

Environmental performance
Environmental performance
Mount Isa Mines copper operations
Mount Isa landscape
Environmental challenges
The key environmental challenges for the
Mount Isa Mines copper operations include:
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regulatory transition from the Mount Isa
Mines Limited Agreement Act 1985, to
the Environmental Protection Act 1994
minimising emissions to air from the
Mount Isa Mines copper smelter and
dust from surface operations
managing site stormwater according
to HAZDAM requirements
preparing for and reducing our
contribution to climate change
minimising fresh water consumption
and maximising process water reuse
planning for effective progressive
rehabilitation
minimising waste generation and
maximising materials recycling.
86 XSTRATA COPPER NORTH QUEENSLAND
Environmental protection
expenditures
Since taking ownership of the Mount Isa
Mines operations in 2003, Xstrata has
invested in excess of $275 million on over
220 environmental initiatives. In 2010, the
Mount Isa Mines copper operations invested
more than $29.4 million on environmental
protection expenditures and investments.
Environmental incidents
and compliance
In 2010, the Mount Isa Mines copper
operations recorded a total of 48 minor
environmental incidents, of which 45 were
considered Category 1 (negligible), and
three of the incidents were considered
Category 2 (minor). All incidents were
investigated and corrective measures
implemented to prevent recurrence. In 2010,
no Category 3 (significant) environmental
incidents were reported. Regulatory noncompliances
associated with the environment
were reported to the Queensland
Department of Environment and Resource
Management (DERM).
One prosecution that resulted in a fine of
$80,000 was received by the Mount Isa
Mines copper operations in 2010 due to an
incident that occurred in September 2008.
Please refer to page 79 for more detail.
Transition from the
Mount Isa Mines Limited
Agreement Act
In May 2008, the Queensland Government
passed legislation to transition Xstrata Mount
Isa Mines from the Mount Isa Mines Limited
Agreement Act 1985 to the Environmental
Protection Act 1994. The existing Mining
Plan 2010–15 originally established under
the Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement
Act 1985 will remain the guiding document
for environmental management on site until
the transition period expires and Xstrata
Mount Isa Mines is provided with a new
Environmental Authority beyond May 2011.
During the transition period Xstrata will work
closely with the Queensland Government
and other key stakeholders to implement
the upcoming changes to our environmental
regulation. Various studies were
undertaken during this period to improve
understanding of environmental conditions
and to help develop new Environmental
Authority conditions.