A WATER spill last weekend at Xstrata’s Bulga Coal operations has contaminated the local Nine Mine Creek near Broke.
The contaminated water came from a tailings dam at the Bulga complex and caused sediment to appear approximately 300 to 500 metres along the creek.
According to Xstrata Coal the spill was due to the failure of an on-site tailings transfer line but the contamination remained within the boundaries of the mining lease area.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating the incident with EPA officers on site this week collecting water samples.
The EPA will be ascertaining if Loaders Creek has been impacted said Greg Sullivan, deputy chief executive – Environment regulation.
He said Xstrata had undertaken immediate clean up activities including the use of vacuum tankers and containment structures to prevent further contamination of the area.
Xstrata must also provide the EPA with a comprehensive report of the incident within seven days.
A spokesman for Xstrata Coal said the company was disappointed by the breach and has commenced an investigation into the incident and was continuing to work with the EPA.
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