Results - Individual Facility Detail

2010/2011 report for MOUNT ISA MINES LTD, Mount Isa Mines - Mount Isa, QLD

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Report Details:
Reporting Year:
2010/2011
 
Subthreshold Report:
No
 
Data period start:
July 1, 2010
 
Data period end:
June 30, 2011
Other reports for this facility:
2011/2012 ,  2009/2010 ,  2008/2009 ,  2007/2008 ,  2006/2007 ,  2005/2006 ,  2004/2005 ,  2003/2004 ,  2002/2003 ,  2001/2002 ,  2000/2001 ,  1999/2000 ,  1998/1999
Facility Details:
Facility Name:
Mount Isa Mines
 
Jurisdiction ID:
Q020MIM001
 
Street Address:
RAILWAY AV  Mount Isa  QLD  4825
 
Number of Employees:
4738
Owner/Operator Details:
Company Name:
MOUNT ISA MINES LTD
 
ABN:
87009661447
 
ACN:
009661447
Contact Details:
Name / Position:
Ms Maryann Wipaki / Manager Sustainable Development
 
Phone:
(07) 4744 8805
 
Email:
mwipaki@xstratacopper.com.au
 
Postal Address:
     
 
Web Address:
www.xstrata.com/  
Industry Details:
Main Activities:
Mining: Copper/Lead/Zinc Concentrating: Copper/Zinc/Lead Smelting: Copper/Lead
 
Primary ANZSIC:
Class: Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc Smelting and Refining [2133]
Group: Basic Non-Ferrous Metal Manufacturing [213]
Cleaner Production Activities
Activity Comments
Improved maintenance scheduling, record keeping, or procedures Maintance of environmental controls are monitored using an automated database that issues "standard work orders" to initiaite the task and has a 'close out function' Housekeeping inspections are completed in each area on a routine basis to reduce the likelihood of unnecessary materials being left exposed.
 
Changed production schedules to minimise equipment/feedstock changeovers Scheduling of materials mined and imported to site is optimised to minimise the amount of handling. This reduces the amount dust being emitted from surface activities.
 
Modified process, equipment, layout, or piping Addtional earthworks have been compelted to further reduce the likelihood of stormwater discharges from site. Any water captured in these systems is either recycled directly into the process or is pumped to a large site storage where it can be utilised for dust suppression during dry periods.
 
Improved procedures for loading, unloading or transfer operations Water sprays have been installed on the main surface crusher, as well as on some hoppers. This assists to reduce surface dust emissions.
 
Installed overflow alarms or automatic shut-off valves There is a comprehensive stormwater management system on site. Significant ponds are alarmed such that a central control is notified when stormwater containments are approaching their capacity. In these instances the area superviser is notified so that additional controls can be put in place.
 
Changed product specifications 'Quick Break' degreasers are substituted in place of solvent based degreasers where possible.
 
Modified packaging Bulk materials are used as much as possible on site to reduce the amount of packaging that takes up valuable landfill space plus also reduces the loss of product in the residual amounts that can be normally disposed with the packaging.
 
Implemented inspection or monitoring program for potential spill or leak sources In internal environmental incident procedure has been implemented on site. Environmental incidents are used positively to assess the adequacy of controls in the event of an incident.
 
Dust suppression - water sprays/chemical suppression Water sprays have been employed on conveyors, some stockpile areas, and on the hoods of feed hoppers. In surface mining operations the application of a chemical dust supressent is also used to minimise dust.
 
Use of cleaner raw materials There are a number of initiatives employed at site to reduce the demand on virgin natural resources. This includes the use of waste heat from our copper smelter in generating power at the Mines Power Station; the installation of a 'Pelton wheel' which uses the gravitational force of chilled water being fed underground to generate additional electricity; the mining of tailings and use of by-products from grinding ciruits in the zinc-lead- HMR use as fill in the underground
 
Dust suppression - wind breaks/covered/enclosed stockpiles A large proportion of the operations are located in a long valley that divides the operations with the community. It also acts as a significant windbreak providing similar to 'pit retention' characteristics. Fine materials (i.e. concentrates) are primarily stored and handled in enclosed sheds.
 
Community consultative committee A comprehensive community engagement program has been established by Mount Isa Mines. On a routine basis advertised community information sessions are held at the local Civic Centre for the community to here about the operations' performance, current initiatives, and for the community raise any issues they may have. When any significant projects are undertaken then special briefings are arranged with the community amd other stakeholders.
 
Other modifications / practices During 2008 and 2009 two significant cleaner production intiatives have been progressing. These include the Smelter Emissions Project and the Lead Pathways Study. The Smelter Emissions Project aims for greater than 95% capture and treatment of sulfur dioxide from the copper smelter by 2012 and greater than 98% capture and treatment of sulfur dioxide from the lead smelter by 2013. It is anticipated that the very large majority of any dusts associated with this gas will also be captured.

The Lead Pathways Study is a 3 yr doctorate study assessing potential pathways of lead that could migrate from our operations into the community through air, land and water, and also to assess the risk to human and ecological health.
Pollution Control Devices
Device Installed (year) Comments
Electrostatic precipitator 1994 Before gas that is diverted to the copper smelter stack (ie. acid plant is not available or it's capacity to receive gas volume is exceeded) passes to the atmosphere it goes through an electrostatic precipitator. The prevailing winds are towards the NW which is in a direction away from the community.

The dusts collected by the electrostatic precipitator are leached in a plant to remove additional copper metal after which it is neutralised and fixated in the underground for fill.
 
Fabric filter/baghouse 1992 3 bag houses in the lead smelter remove particulates in gas emissions before they are diverted to the 270m stack. The prevailing winds are towards the NW which is in a direction away from the community.
 
Wet scrubber 2001 Before gas is transfered from the copper smelter to the Acid Plant it passes through a wet scrubber.
Public Statement:
It is important to note that the NPI provides data solely on source emissions and does not measure emissions into the community or take into account the comprehensive measures in place at Mount Isa to limit potential impacts from emissions on the environment and local community.

Xstrata has invested in excess of $275 million on more than 220 environmental initiatives at its Mount Isa operations since acquiring Mount Isa Mines in 2003 and is continuing to pursue a wide range of environmental improvements.

Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has the most intensive air quality monitoring system of any city in Australia. First introduced in 1975, the Air Quality Control (AQC) system incorporates 15 air quality monitoring stations throughout the Mount Isa community. The AQC provides real-time air quality data and monitors weather patterns to ensure smelting operations can be shut down well in advance of any adverse impacts to air quality in the Mount Isa community. The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management also has a real-time heavy metals air monitor in Mount Isa to supplement the world class air monitoring system in place.

Xstrata has never exceeded regulatory limits for respirable lead at any air monitor in the Mount Isa community since acquiring Mount Isa Mines in 2003.

It is also important to note that Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has a significant operational footprint, comparable to the sum of multiple individual mines and industrial facilities listed on the NPI, with two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, forming one of the largest base metal mining operations in Australia.

Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is continuing its record of meeting every changing environmental regulation and working closely with the Queensland Government to transition to a new Environmental Authority.

For more information on our environmental initiatives, view our annual Sustainability Reports at www.mountisamines.com.au

First published:
March 30, 2012
Last updated:
March 30, 2012

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