Alcoa charged with criminal negligence

As reported on perthnow Alcoa has been charged with criminal negligence.

Do not underestimate the significance of the statement "Alcoa has been charged with criminal negligence".

Alcoa are also currently battling a number of fronts with US Activist Erin Brockovich apparently still pursuing legal action in the US, on behalf of residents and workers from around Wagerup, Pinjarra and Kwinana.

This latest news is big, the WA Department of Environment and Conservation have charged Alcoa with Criminal Negligence over emissions of toxic particulate matter from it 'red mud' tailings dams at Wagerup.

'Red Mud' is an innocuous term invented by Alcoa - however what it really is - is highly toxic mining waste containing radionuclide's, heavy metals, fluoride. sodium hydroxide etc, that Alcoa dumps in ever increasing piles covering hundreds of hectares near Alcoa's refineries because they don't know what else to do with it. Many people over the years have been put at risk and exposed to these particulates largely made up of the fine fraction <PM2.5 micron in diameter. Alcoa has been charged with pollution offences and convicted over the years - but not with criminal negligence.

History shows that this move by the DEC is out of character for our environmental regulator, so let us hope that it is a sign of change in the right direction.

Update 24-01-09: The Alcoa case has apparently been transferred to the Magistrates Court at the Central Law Court in Perth and is scheduled for 23^rd April 2009.