EDS drags New Zealand Aluminium Smelters to court for premix toxic waste storage

The Environmental Defence Society has reportedly filed Declaration Proceedings in the Environment Court today, July 6, against New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited concerning the storage of over 10,000 tonnes of ouvea premix at sites on Kana Street, Mataura, Southland.

New Zealand Aluminium Smelter while processing aluminium produces a by-product called dross. Dross can then be subjected to an aluminium recovery and recycling process, which generates one of the outputs called ouvea premix, a potential resource for fertiliser manufacturing and steel production.

“We are concerned that if the stored ouvea premix gets wet, it produces ammonia gas which is toxic to humans. It can also harm aquatic life. There are residences nearby as well as a Te Kohanga Reo child care centre,” said EDS CEO Gary Taylor.

He added, “It’s our contention that NZAS is responsible for the material and should be taking immediate steps to remove it promptly to a safe site.

Citing Rio Tinto's not-so-fair environmental track-record offshore and its recent destroy of a 45,000-year old Aboriginal cultural site in the Pilbara region in Western Australia, the Environmental Defence Society said that it wish to see a responsible approach from the smelter to avoid adverse environment impacts in the country.

Rio Tinto owns 80 per cent shares of New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Limited, while Sumitomo Chemical Company owns the rest.

“The backstory to this matter is complex, with NZAS having contracted out processing and recycling of the ouvea premix to a company that went into liquidation. Our Declaration Proceedings ask the Environment Court to rule on whether NZAS can contract itself out of legal responsibilities to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects (or potential adverse effects) under the Resource Management Act,” added EDS CEO.

He also said, “The EDS proceedings are supported by affidavits that track the history of the matter and provide expert evidence on hydrology and chemistry. Our concern is that another flood event could inundate the warehouse storage facilities.”