Sealed Shipment Process
On 27 July 2012 the Western Australian Minister for Environment approved updated Operating Conditions to enable Magellan Metals to recommence the export of lead carbonate concentrate via Fremantle Port.
The sealed shipment process used by Magellan Metals is a method of transporting concentrate in sealed, doubled lined bags inside locked steel shipping on rail from the mine site near Wiluna to the Port.
As part of the process for approving the updated Operating Conditions the Minister received advice from the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) that “the current transport and handling methods are more than sufficient to protect human health and the environment”, that “The transportation of bulk bags in shipping containers is over and above what is required and is best practice”.
The sealed shipment process was developed following issues with the bulk loading of lead carbonate concentrate at the Port of Esperance in 2006/07, which resulted in fugitive dust emissions, and the Magellan Mine being placed on care and maintenance in 2007.
In August 2009, after extensive community and Government consultation, Magellan Metals obtained final approvals to commence bagged and containerised sealed shipments of lead carbonate concentrate through the Port of Fremantle.
In late 2010 Magellan advised the Office of Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA) that airborne lead above baseline levels may have been identified within a small number of sealed containers. The Minister for Environment issued a Stop Order on 31 December 2010.
In early January 2011 the independent laboratory responsible for the testing confirmed that its results were incorrect and that no baseline levels had been exceeded. This position was confirmed by an independent expert commissioned by Magellan Metals and an independent review commissioned by the Western Australian OEPA. Both the Government and Magellan Metals confirmed that there was no risk to the community from the transport operations.
In late February 2011 the Government lifted the Stop Order to enable Magellan Metals to commence transporting again. However, after two further interruptions to the transport process in February and March the company’s owner, Ivernia Inc, placed the Magellan Mine operations on care and maintenance on 7 April 2011 in order to undertake a comprehensive review of the sealed shipment process.
During the period from April 2011 to July 2012, Magellan Metals undertook a complete review of its operating procedures to ensure the integrity of the sealed shipment process. Western Australian Government agencies also investigated and reviewed the events of early 2011 and confirmed that Magellan Metals had not breached its Operating Conditions and no action would be taken against the company.
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