26th Nov 2015 09:35
LONDON (Alliance News) - BHP Billiton PLC on Thursday moved to quell speculation the waste which was released by the tailings dam burst at the Samarco mine in Brazil was toxic.
Earlier this month a dam breach occurred at the Samarco iron ore operation in Minas Gerais in Brazil, run jointly by BHP and Brazilian mining giant Vale SA. The Samarco operations include a three-tiered tailings dam complex. Within this complex, the Fundão dam failed and the downstream Santarém dam also was affected.
Operations at the main remain suspended amid ongoing investigations by authorities into the incident and as the two companies finalise rectification plans.
A probe conducted by the United Nations has claimed the waste from the mine spill is toxic and said the steps taken by BHP and Vale to prevent harm were not sufficient. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said evidence showed the 50.0 million metric tonnes of iron ore waste released from the dam rupture contained high levels of toxic heavy materials and other toxic chemicals.
BHP, however, said the tailings released into the Rio Doce were comprised of clay and silt material from the washing and processing of earth containing iron ore, which is naturally abundant in the local area. It added that, based on available data, the tailings are chemically-stable.
The Samarco joint venture also issued a statement which said further tests carried out after the incident confirm the waste is not hazardous to human health.
Shares in BHP were down 2.8% to 830.00 pence on Thursday, the worst performer in the FTSE 100.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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