Magellan allowed to resume lead exports

Magellan Metals has been allowed to resume lead exports from its Wiluna mine in the north-west Goldfields, through the port of Fremantle.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said today she had approved several health, hygiene and environmental management and monitoring and emergency response plans the company had prepared under stringent environmental conditions she had set last February.

"Each of these plans has been reviewed by a number of agencies including the departments of Environment and Conservation; Health; Mines and Petroleum, the Fremantle Port Authority and the Fire Emergency Services Authority," Mrs Faragher said.

"In approving the plans, I have received advice from those agencies and I am satisfied the plans meet the Ministerial conditions - the most stringent placed on a proposal of this kind."

The Minister said the health and safety of the Western Australian community was the top priority of the Liberal-National Government and this was reflected in the Ministerial conditions.

"Importantly, all transport of lead concentrate will cease should Magellan's lead be detected in the environment along the transport route," she said.

"Magellan will only be allowed to transport lead carbonate in double laminated and sieve-proof bags.  After being sealed, each and every bag will be inspected by an independent auditor, then placed in containers at the mine site."

The accredited auditor is Inspectorate Australia (Assay) Pty Ltd.

Mrs Faragher said Magellan had also provided an unconditional and irrevocable bank guarantee of $5million as a bond to cover costs associated with any clean-up required in the event of a spill of lead along the transport route.

"The conditions I have set are explicit and enforceable and are over and above what the previous Labor government thought was adequate.

"It remains my very clear expectation that Magellan will not only meet the conditions but exceed them.   Any transgression will be dealt with swiftly."