Rio Tinto has been fined $57,000 over chemical leaks from a pipe at Yarwun, Gladstone, in October 2020.

Gladstone Magistrates Court heard the matter, which also saw the company hit with $2707.42 in investigation costs and $1500 in legal costs after breaching section 430 (3) of the Environmental Protection Act. No conviction was recorded.

Rio Tinto Yarwun general manager Mark Gilmore said the court proceedings were the result of an incident involving the accidental release of diluted caustic liquid from a pipe near Rio Tinto’s wharf facility. 

“The release did not impact on waterways, as the substance was contained in the adjacent industrial drain,” he said.

“Rio Tinto’s response at the time of the caustic release was to immediately initiate clean-up measures and to notify the government regulator (Queensland Department of Environment and Science).

“Rio Tinto has conducted its own investigation into the events that led to the release. The results of the investigation have been shared with the regulator.

“Rio Tinto regrets this incident and accepts the judgement of the court. We are continuing to work with stakeholders as an action plan is implemented to ensure that a similar event does not reoccur.”

It was alleged that the company unlawfully released a contaminant to land and failed to maintain the supply line in a proper and efficient condition. 

The court heard the charges related to two incidents involving the release of sodium hydroxide (caustic) from an above ground supply line which is used to transport the sodium hydroxide to the Yarwun alumina refinery.

On October 20, 2020, a small hole in the supply line resulted in the release of less than 20 litres of caustic to land immediately below the pipeline.

The next day fresh water was pumped into the supply line with the objective of carrying out a leak test, to confirm the integrity of a clamp that had been installed following the initial leak.

However, a drain valve was left open and an estimated 130,000L of diluted caustic overflowed into an industrial drain. The caustic was contained on site and cleaned up.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said the regulator took compliance issues seriously, with officers responding swiftly to monitor and investigate any environmental incident.

“DES will take strong action, including court prosecutions, where operator’s contravene their environmental obligations,” he said.

– Updated August 23 PM