There are claims claims Rio Tinto has reneged on an agreement to remove hazardous waste from the Southland town of Mataura.
The government is considering legal action against the company for its failure to deal with its own toxic waste from the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.
Environment Minister David Parker spoke to Corin Dann about the move.
The chief executive of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters, Stewart Hamilton, was not available for an interview but said yesterday that the company had fully cooperated with the Gore District Council and had committed to contributing $1.75 million to the costs of safely removing and processing the hazardous waste currently housed in Mataura.
