PM expects Rio Tinto to 'come to the table' over ouvea premix

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she expects aluminium producer Rio Tinto to come to the table to find a solution to rid Southland of the ouvea premix being stored in warehouses in Mataura and Awarua.

Ardern said she shares the concerns of the people of Mataura, who were evacuated last week amid concerns the 9500 tonnes of ouvea premix in a disused paper mill could have been inundated by flood waters, which could have set off a highly dangerous cloud of ammonia gas.

Ardern supported the views of southern mayors and Environment Minister David Parker, who were critical of Rio Tinto's decision to back out on a verbal agreement given last week to fasttrack the removal of the waste from Mataura.

'It has occurred as a result of a profitable process from a company that I think needs to show some responsibility in helping resolve this situation.'

* Deal to remove hazardous substance from Mataura canned

* Deal struck to fast track ouvea premix removal from Mataura

Environment Southland chief executive officer Rob Phillips, left, greets Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the Emergency Co-ordination Centre in Invercargill on Thursday evening.

* Prime Minister says long-term solution needed for Mataura residents and stored ouvea premix**

A lot of work had been done to try and resolve the issue and last week's flood in Southland had demonstrated the risk of some of the storage solutions where the substance was being stored, Ardern said.

'There has been a willingness from local leadership and central Government to work towards a solution, and now I'd like to see those who are at the centre of this problem coming to the table as well.'

On Wednesday, Environment Minister David Parker said he was considering legal action against the owner of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter over its failure to deal with its hazardous waste.

When asked if the Government would provide any further funding or support towards the removal of the premix at Mataura, Ardern said there were some things to be worked through still.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips, left, Labour List MP Liz Craig and Emergency Management Southland controller Bruce Halligan in Invercargill on Thursday.

The Government would be continuing to work with local leadership, which had been 'excellent' at trying to drive a solution, she said.

'We will be right there alongside them as we try to bring this to its finality.

Rio Tinto were contacted for comment on Thursday, but did not respond.

On Wednesday, Aluminium producer Rio Tinto said it remained committed to a solution that removes the hazardous substance from a Mataura building, after it was announced that the company had pulled out of a deal to fast-track its removal.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to Federated Farmers Southland president Geoff Young and Chris and Rochelle Dillon, of Ardlussa, who were severly affected by last week's floods.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visiting the Rural Support Trust site at Southern Field Days, talking to Cathie Cotter.

Ardern was visiting Southern Field Days in Gore, where she met with the Rural Support Trust and Southland Federated Farmers to discuss the response to last week's flooding in the province, which prompted two states of emergency to be declared.

'The feedback I've had about the response itself has by and large been excellent. On the ground the response was quick, the communication was good.

'I think at the moment, whilst you hear a lot of a really stoic response, and people say look we're getting on with it, we just want to make sure that we are staying in touch.'

There would be a lot of fencing losses and debris because of the flood, she said.

'It will probably be some days before we even know the full extent … and its a matter of us staying in touch with the Rural Support Trust as they work through that.'

After visiting field days Ardern was expected in Invercargill to meet with Civil Defence teams, who had co-ordinated and worked through the State of Emergencies that were declared first in Fiordland, then in Southland.