Ten thousand tonnes of aluminium dross stored in the old paper mill at Mataura in Southland is being removed.
The waste is a by-product of aluminium production at the Tiwai Point smelter and releases deadly ammonia gas if it gets wet.
Mining company Rio Tinto has agreed to pay the $6 million clean up bill.
Mataura Dross Action Group spokesperson Laurel Turnbull spoke to Susie Ferguson.
