Fed: Hill should go to Hungary Brown

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2000
Fed: Hill should go to Hungary Brown

Australian Greens Senator BOB BROWN has urged the Environment Minister, ROBERT HILL,
to fly to Hungary to help oversee the response to the cyanide spill there.

Senator BROWN says the Minister should see first-hand the damage caused to four rivers,
including the Danube.

The spill occurred on January 30 when a tailings dam at the Baia Mare goldmine burst,
releasing nearly 400,000 litres of cyanide-contaminated water and causing extensive pollution.

A Perth-based company, Esmeralda Exploration, owns half the mining project.

Senator BROWN says it's the biggest environmental disaster in Europe since Chernobyl
and the Australian government and mining industry are morally obliged to help with remediation.

But a spokesman for Senator HILL says he's getting expert advice on the issue and going
to Hungary won't serve any purpose.

The federal opposition says the involvement of an Australian company in the indicent
has damaged Australia's international reputation.

AAP RTV daw/mfh/sub/as

KEYWORD: CYANIDE GREENS (CANBERRA)

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