New Zealand Government announces resolution to accelerate aluminium dross removal from Mataura

The New Zealand Government has reportedly announced a resolution to speedily remove ouvea premix, an aluminium dross by-product stored in an old paper mill site next to the river at Mataura.

Environment Minister David Parker hopes this resolution gives Mataura residents greater peace of mind as they will no longer need to worry about the risk of hazardous ammonia gas that could emit from the material when wet.

"This resolution will protect the wellbeing of Southland's people and its waterways," said David Parker.

The resolution is the outcome of negotiations between the parties supervised by Environment Court Judge Laurie Newhook, following legal action brought by the Environment Defence Society to determine ownership and responsibility for removing ouvea premix.

The Ministry of the Environment has agreed to equally bear the additional cost of accelerating the removal of the material with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters. Each of them will contribute up to an estimated $500,000 for the additional costs.

"It's disappointing more public money needs to be spent on the remediation, but it reflects the history of the dross and the need to move it quickly for the benefit of our environment and Mataura residents," David Parker said.

He also said, "After months of negotiating and exploring of options by all parties, I would like to acknowledge New Zealand Aluminium Smelters for agreeing to the material being sent to its Tiwai Point site where it will be stored in containers.”

"I would also like to thank Inalco, which is processing the material, for their cooperation in reaching this agreement," Parker added.

The accelerated removal process has already begun and is expected to be completed with the next few months. Inalco’s Tiwai Point has diverted some staff to increase the removal capacity, while another loading site at Mataura will engage more trucks.