As part of its commitment to be a welcomed and valued member of the community it operates in, MMG will expand its environmental sampling and community information program at Rosebery, on Tasmania’s West Coast early next year.
“Like residents in Rosebery, I have been concerned at the recent talk of heavy metals in the town and the impact this has on the reputation of Rosebery and its residents,” said Mr John Lamb, the newly appointed General Manager of MMG Rosebery.
“MMG has worked closely with Government agencies and local residents over the past 12 months on this issue, and we will continue to offer our support in any ongoing investigations. However I believe it is important that, as a valued member of the Rosebery community, MMG takes appropriate steps to ensure that we all fully understand the situation.”
MMG has commissioned an independent environmental sampling program to be conducted over the coming weeks. This program will aim to collect data at a number of locations around town to complement the company’s current monitoring of the composition of the Rosebery environment.
Samples will include soil, surface water (where available) and dust and will be screened for a suite of metals.
“MMG Rosebery has a strong connection with the Rosebery township that was formed to support the mine over 70 years ago. We want to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship continues well into the future,” said Mr Lamb.
The program will focus on three key areas of the township: properties which MMG own or occupy, public areas such as schools, parks and plazas and any private houses which residents would like to have tested as part of the sampling program.
The soil sampling in the public areas, which have included the schools, child care centre, playgrounds, ovals and other public open spaces in Rosebery has already been completed with the analysis results expected early next year.
“All Rosebery residents have already received a written invitation from us to have their properties tested and we encourage them to take up this offer,” said Mr Lamb.
“The more properties we can test, the greater confidence we can have that the data is giving us as accurate a picture as possible.”
Residents who wish to participate in the program can contact MMG Rosebery Stakeholder Relations Officer Christine Winskill by 22 January on 6473 2105 / 0417 466 646.
MMG Rosebery is a polymetallic underground mine producing zinc, copper and lead concentrates and gold doré that has been in operations since 1936 and has the current potential to extend mine life beyond 2020.
Media inquiries:
Sally Cox, Communications Manager
T 03 9288 0850 / 0417 144 524 E sally.cox@mmgroupltd.com
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