Miner Magellan Metals has stressed that its export process of lead carbonate concentrate meets the strictest conditions after a freight train derailed near houses in Fremantle.
A Westnet Rail spokesperson said the train had just been relieved of its cargo before heading out to Forrestfield, when the locomotive derailed and two wagons tipped.
No one was hurt in the incident, which is currently being investigated.
The derailment has reignited fears that a similar incident could happen once Magellan starts exporting lead through the Fremantle port.
Magellan spokesperson John Yeates told WA Business News while things can go wrong, Magellan has developed a strict export process for the transport of its lead carbonate concentrate, which will be put into double lined bags and sealed inside steel containers.
"For anything to happen the train has to derail, the containers would then have to fall off and break and the bags would have to break in order for anything to come out," he said.
Mr Yeates added that should the worst happen, the lead carbonate concentrate has a 7.5 per cent moisture content which will prevent the commodity from flying off into the air.
Magellan has already received ministerial approval to export lead through Fremantle but is waiting on final sign off on management plans.
