THE Borroloola community is demanding answers after a new independent report revealed nine out of 10 fish tested near the McArthur River mine site contained dangerously high levels of lead.
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The Erias Group report was compiled using the mine’s own data and co-author David Brown confirmed that testing had been predominately conducted in Barney Creek, which runs within the mine lease.
In addition, the tests were conducted on species of fish “not commonly eaten” due to their size and taste.
Mr Brown said he understood the mine would be undertaking further testing.
Mines and Energy Minister Willem Westra van Holthe said the report raised more questions than it did answers.
“The findings and discrepancies in relation to lead levels in fish probably mean that we need to look further into the fish studies,” he said.
“Look, what this report has done is it’s raised enough concerns to prompt a new range of tests on fish and other organisms in and around the McArthur River mine, and that work will be ongoing and will also involve the Department of Health.”
He added that the responsibility of environmental management of the mine site fell “fairly and squarely with the mine operator”.
However, he did not agree that the test results suggested a danger to human health from consuming fish out of Surprise Creek or the McArthur River.
“Well, I’m not going to say it’s safe to eat, because I haven’t seen any health standard type tests but, certainly from the test results we’ve seen so far, there’s no indication that there’s any danger to human health from the fish in Surprise Creek and McArthur River.
Mr Westra van Holthe drew a distinction between the two estuaries and Barney Creek, where the testing was carried out.
“Barney Creek runs through the actual mine lease and, as I understand it, that’s where the high levels of lead in fish were found through the independent monitor report,” he said.
“Now, no one should be fishing in those areas anyway, because apart from the fact they’re not considered food fish … they’d be trespassing on the mine lease.”
Lauren Mellor from the Environment Centre NT said it was “laughable” to expect fish to be contained within the area of the mine lease.
She also said that Barney Creek was not signed as a non-fishing area and was easily accessible to the public.
“They’ve known for two years now that they’re getting increased levels of lead and they’ve not issued public warnings,” she said.
“And now … they’re relying on this very flimsy argument that they haven’t done testing on the edible fish and it’s only within the boundaries of the mine.
“The real question is actually how much is bio-accumulating up the food chain.”
A spokesperson for McArthur River Mine, which is owned by Glencore, said the data showed no evidence of mine-derived lead in McArthur River or Surprise Creek, and fish and prawns sampled from both of these water systems meet food standards requirements.
"This section of Barney Creek is in the middle of the mine where the haul trucks cross the Barney Creek diversion. It is not accessible by members of the public unless they are on site for a work-related task. Travellers do not “pass through the area," the spokesperson said.
The mine also disputed the claim that bio-accumulation of lead or other metals were occurring in McArthur River fish.
"Affected fish were localised to a section of Barney Creek on the mine site where fishing is not permitted.
"The study did not indicate that bio-accumulation of lead or other metals was occurring in these species and from that perspective these fish should be considered safe to eat."