The 1200 tonnes of copper focus that spilled into the Edith River, 40km northwest of Katherine, contained 0.008 per cent uranium which can be up to 96kg of the hazardous material.NT Worksafe and Safework SA had allowed OZ Minerals a 12-month exemption from moving copper focus in sealed containers while they were being built. The exemptions expire on December 31.
Territory Government spokeswoman Lesley Major said in a written statement that present was no formal NT exemption for OZ Minerals to transport the loads without protected containers."NT Worksafe has allowed the sustained transport in the NT in accordance with the SA release as part of Oz Mineral's transition to the new carriages," she said.
"This decision was made following talk with SafeWork SA and (the Environment Department), and following discussion with Oz Minerals."Given the nature of this material, and the fact that there were until just no special requirements for the transport of it, the provision of an exemption for a fixed period of time to permit a transition to compliance is careful to be natural and reasonable."
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