Tailings dam collapse and toxic dust clouds… GP’s advice to residents: ‘Get out’

Here’s a recent article “Newcrest’s Cadia gold mine tailings dam collapse in 2018 causing concern” by the ABC on their website. Credit: Some text and images by The ABC.

In summary (or read in full):

• Newcrest Cadia’s northern tailings storage facility (tailings dam) central west NSW had a wall collapse releasing waste and polluting the surrounding environment. Gold is processed with chemicals such as diesel and potassium amyl xanthate (a chemical that can cause extensive bodily damage). Plus many other dangerous compounds also exist in tailings dams.

• Subsequent tailings dust covering surrounding communities. Dust considered dangerous to human and animal health.

• Miner hit with minimal fines.

• GP’s advice to residents: ‘Get out’

Yet another example how miners cannot safely manage mines in and around communities and farmland. Miners don’t pay much of a price, but we do.