Ouvea premix is being removed from the paper mill building at Mataura, but an Environment Court case will determine whose responsibility that is. An environmental group is planning to take legal action to determine whether Rio Tinto is responsible for a hazardous substance that has been dumped in a Mataura building. The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) is an independent, not-for-profit environmental group that was established in 1971 and is committed to improving environmental outcomes for all New Zealanders. The smelter had a contract with Taha Asia Pacific, that processed aluminium dross from the smelter into ouvea premix, which could then be processed into fertilizer. Environment Southland is also considering taking legal action against Rio Tinto over its responsibility to remove the substance.

Source: Stuff May 27, 2020 04:41 UTC