Mount Gordon mines nominated for top environmental awards
Published Thursday, 03 July, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
A business partnership in Mount Gordon is in the running for two of Queensland’s top environmental awards for its commitment to developing sustainable business practices.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara today announced that Mount Gordon Birla mine, in partnership with BioteQ Environmental Technologies, was the only business in the State to be nominated as a finalist in two categories of the Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards 2008.
“Mount Gordon Birla mine and BioteQ Environmental Technologies have developed an innovative water treatment process that removes dissolved toxic metals from mine wastewater,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Mt Gordon Esperanza open pit is used to collect and store acid water contaminated with copper, cobalt and nickel.
“The BioteQ water treatment plant recovers 99% of metals that would otherwise be left on site as unrecoverable waste.
“The plant is anticipated to recover 635,000 kg of copper and 62,000 kg of cobalt annually from the wastewater,” he said.
Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, congratulated the partnership on their success.
“Birla Mount Gordon is going above and beyond mandatory environmental standards to minimise its impact on the environment, and is reaping the economic rewards of becoming sustainable,” Ms Kiernan said.
The EPA Sustainable Industries Awards aim to increase awareness of the advantages of sustainable practices such as reducing energy and water use, reducing waste and minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
The Industrial Eco-efficiency category is sponsored by Fosters Group and the Resource Industry Sustainability category is sponsored by the Queensland Resources Council.
Mr McNamara said the finalists for the awards had been selected from more than 100 entries ranging from small business to large multi-million dollar companies.
“Queensland has visionary companies that are committed to reducing consumption of fossil fuels, water, waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr McNamara said.
Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday, 31 October 2008.
For more information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or contact the EPA Sustainable Industries Division on 3225 1999.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara today announced that Mount Gordon Birla mine, in partnership with BioteQ Environmental Technologies, was the only business in the State to be nominated as a finalist in two categories of the Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards 2008.
“Mount Gordon Birla mine and BioteQ Environmental Technologies have developed an innovative water treatment process that removes dissolved toxic metals from mine wastewater,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Mt Gordon Esperanza open pit is used to collect and store acid water contaminated with copper, cobalt and nickel.
“The BioteQ water treatment plant recovers 99% of metals that would otherwise be left on site as unrecoverable waste.
“The plant is anticipated to recover 635,000 kg of copper and 62,000 kg of cobalt annually from the wastewater,” he said.
Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, congratulated the partnership on their success.
“Birla Mount Gordon is going above and beyond mandatory environmental standards to minimise its impact on the environment, and is reaping the economic rewards of becoming sustainable,” Ms Kiernan said.
The EPA Sustainable Industries Awards aim to increase awareness of the advantages of sustainable practices such as reducing energy and water use, reducing waste and minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
The Industrial Eco-efficiency category is sponsored by Fosters Group and the Resource Industry Sustainability category is sponsored by the Queensland Resources Council.
Mr McNamara said the finalists for the awards had been selected from more than 100 entries ranging from small business to large multi-million dollar companies.
“Queensland has visionary companies that are committed to reducing consumption of fossil fuels, water, waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr McNamara said.
Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday, 31 October 2008.
For more information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or contact the EPA Sustainable Industries Division on 3225 1999.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004