Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I would point out to Senator Ludlam that the Supervising Scientist is an independent statutory body, and so I was actually directly answering his question, just providing appropriate context around the answer given the public interest in this matter. So I will continue. The spill was contained within the plant area and there is no threat to the surrounding environment or human health outside of the immediate area. This was confirmed by the Supervising Scientist staff on site on Saturday, 7 December, and by the Acting Supervising Scientist himself on Sunday morning, 8 December. ERA have further contained the material around the plant area with earthen bunds so as to limit its spread in the event of rain. A small amount of material made it through the stormwater system to retention point 2. Chemistry results indicate no change in retention point 2 composition at this point in time. The material in the leach tank consists of ground uranium ore, water and acid at a pH of approximately 2. The material is not a significant radiological hazard and is similar to that— (Time expired)