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Miner Xstrata faces lead lawsuits

080411_xstrata.jpgA SERIES of lawsuits is looming against Swiss mining giant Xstrata after blood tests around its Mount Isa operations revealed widespread lead poisoning among the children of the central Queensland town. The legal action over the alleged metal contamination in the Queensland mining capital comes ahead of the release next month of a Queensland Health report that is understood to show dangerously high levels of lead in more than 10 per cent of the town’s children. Ordered in late 2006 after The Australian revealed new evidence of metal contamination of soils and water, the study shows at least 45 children have lead blood levels that could damage intellectual and behavioural development. The Queensland Government has already moved to repeal exemptions to environmental standards granted to the Mount Isa hardrock mine and smelters by the Bjelke-Petersen government. A test case involving mother Daphne Hare, on behalf of her six-year-old daughter, Stella, is now being prepared by leading lawyers Slater & Gordon. Image source: theaustralian.news.com.au. > Continue.

News selected by Covalence | Country: Australia | Company: Xstrata | Source: The Australian

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