14 Feb 2020

Rio Tinto needs to show responsibility over dross - Ardern

From Morning Report, 7:41 am on 14 February 2020

The Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has told Rio Tinto it needs to show some responsibility over the toxic waste stored in Mataura.

Yesterday the Environment Minister David Parker said he would consider suing the mining company over what he says is its failure to deal with the hazardous waste from the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.

The minister and local leaders are up in arms at claims the company, which is the majority owner of the smelter, reneged on a verbal agreement given just last week to remove the waste from the Southland town of Mataura for the past six years.

Jacinda Ardern told reporters yesterday she agrees with them.

We have asked for Rio Tinto for an interview. They declined.