 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-compliance incidents
All of Alcoa’s Western Australian operations are licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA). Our Victorian operations are licensed under the Victorian Environment Protection Act 1970. The Point Henry Smelter and the Portland Aluminium Smelter both have an Accredited Licence under Victoria’s environmental licensing system.
Through our corporate governance and due diligence reporting systems the following issues were identified and all relevant statutory authorities were appropriately notified.
Air quality management
In June 2008 feed to a calciner at the Wagerup refinery was not shut down within 1 hour as required by the refinery’s licence when a particulate reading in the stack at the Wagerup refinery exceeded a licence limit. The feed was shut down 1 hour and 28 minutes after the first reading. The incident did not result in any environmental impact or cause any environmental harm. The Department of Environment and Conservation was informed. A response was received from the Department and the matter is now closed.
During 2008 the Point Henry smelter identified the potential for exceedences of sulphur dioxide ground level concentrations within and immediately adjacent to the boundary of the plant in certain weather conditions. The smelter is continuing to work with the Environmental Protection Authority to resolve the issue.
Noise
Predictive modelling, supported by monitoring, has suggested that the Wagerup refinery may exceed the allowable noise limits under some meteorological conditions. A noise abatement program was developed and implemented at the Wagerup refinery from the mid 1990s to 2001. In 2002 the Wagerup refinery lodged an application with the Minister for Environment for a variation to the assigned noise levels that if successful will bring it into compliance. The Company has also continued to provide additional information to the Department of Environment and Conservation in relation to this issue.
Waste management
In May 2007 controlled waste was incorrectly transported at the Kwinana refinery. The incident did not result in any environmental impact or cause any environmental harm. The Department of Environment and Conservation was informed.
During November 2008 it became apparent that Kwinana refinery’s licensed landfill site operating at the residue area appears to be covered by the Waste Avoidance Landfill Levy imposed under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007. Alcoa informed Department of Environment and Conservation as soon as becoming aware of this, and met with Department officers to consider appropriate measures to deal with this matter.
Reporting and administration
A condition in the Pinjarra refinery’s licence requires the continuous monitoring of dust from each calciner stack. The monitoring equipment needs to be shut down from time to time for maintenance or calibration or due to equipment system failure. Where the monitoring equipment needs to be taken off line for these reasons the Department of Environment and Conservation has been informed. An amendment to this licence condition to allow for these activities has also been sought.
During 2008 sulphur dioxide monitoring required by the Kwinana refinery’s licence did not meet data recovery requirements on two occasions due to the monitoring equipment being vandalised and due to a prolonged electrical power loss. The Department of Environment and Conservation was informed.
It is also noted that in 2008, the proclamation of a new Dangerous Goods Act and regulations introduced new health, safety and environmental requirements in relation to the storage and handling of dangerous goods. Alcoa has been liaising with the regulatory authority and undertaking site assessments to identify any actions to be undertaken to ensure compliance with the Dangerous Goods legislation.
|
|
|
|
|
