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A small environmental group has taken on Rio Tinto, the biggest mining company in the world. Through court mediation, a deal has been reached to get rid of toxic waste stored at a disused paper mill in the Southland town of Mataura.
It is to be gone from the town and moved back to the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter site by the end of April. The Environmental Defence Society launched legal action following flooding and fire events last year, which saw residents evacuated because of the risk of ammonia gas being emitted from the stored ouvea pre-mix. Kathryn speaks with EDS CEO Gary Taylor.
Ouvea premix - or dross - is stored in loose bags around Southland. Photo: Sort out the Dross facebook page