Lead miner Magellan Metals Pty Ltd has announced its plan to remove the company's remaining 9000 tonnes of lead concentrate from the Port of Esperance, using one-tonne bags.
In a proposal to the Port's community consultative group, Magellan outlined its plan to transfer the lead into the ISO-approved bulka bags, before shipping the material to the company's customers in China.
The bags would be filled in the storage shed where the lead concentrate is housed, using a purpose-built system with a dust collection system.
The shed would be sealed and negative-pressured during the operation.
A spokesperson for Magellan told WA Business News the system had been developed in conjunction with an external environmental consultancy.
The company is still developing its proposal to ship lead concentrate from Fremantle Port in sealed containers.
The full text of a company announcement is pasted below
Magellan Metals has placed before the Port of Esperance community consultative group a draft proposal for removing the approximately 9000 tonnes of Magellan's lead concentrate currently being held in a storage shed at the port.
During the meeting, the Magellan representatives answered several questions from the group regarding its draft proposal.
The draft proposal, which requires assessment and approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation, involves placing the lead concentrate in ISO-approved enclosed and double-lined one-tonne bulka bags before being shipped to Magellan's customers in China.
The bulka bags meet all the requirements of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. They would be filled by a purpose-built system with a dust collection system in the existing shed which would be sealed and negative-pressured specifically for this operation. The filled bags would then be transported by fork lift to a secure storage area to await shipment. It is expected the process will take approximately 30 days to complete the bagging of the concentrate stockpile.
The system has been designed to prevent dust emissions into the environment. At each stage within the draft proposal, potential risks have been identified, and avoidance, mitigation and management measures to address these risks are detailed.
