The NT’s Environment Protection Authority is investigating the spill of manganese ore from a train derailment near Katherine late last month.
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While trains along the Adelaide to Darwin rail line are running again after a three-day shutdown, the cleanup is still continuing.
The EPA was notified by the line’s owners, Genesee and Wyoming, of the January 25 derailment just south of Katherine.
“Genesee and Wyoming reported that there was a loss of manganese ore from approximately two wagons as a result of the derailment, but that the ore was contained,” an EPA spokesman said.
“NT EPA officers are currently investigating the incident under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act (WMPC Act).
“Should any actions be required as a result of the NT EPA’s investigation, these will be discussed with Genesee and Wyoming and with the Department of Primary Industry and Resources.”
The derailment involved a Darwin-bound ore train from the Muckaty manganese mine, believed to be the Bootu Creek mine, near Tennant Creek.
The mine’s owners, Singapore-based OM Holdings, referred the Katherine Times back to Genesee and Wyoming about the ore spillage.
It is still not known how much ore was spilled.
The Bootu Creek mine is 110km north of Tennant Creek.
Ore from the mine is hauled by truck 60 kilometres west to a railway siding, then railed to Darwin for export and used in the making of steel.
The Environment Protection Authority NT has also been contacted has also been contacted about a possible investigation into the ore spillage.
The EPA spokesman said ore recovery was currently underway.
“The recovered ore will be transported back to the mine for re-processing.”
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