Qld: Law action looms against Xstrata

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2008
Qld: Law action looms against Xstrata

A six-year-old central Queensland girl with a cocktail of metals in her blood is expected
to be the test case for a string of lawsuits against mining giant Xstrata.

The Australian newspaper reports a Queensland Health study .. due for release next
month .. will reveal that at least 45 Mount Isa children have lead levels that could impair
their behavioural and intellectual development.

It's expected to show dangerously high levels of lead in more than 10 per cent of children
living in the town .. where mining giant Xstrata took over lead .. copper .. and zinc
mining operations in 2003.

One of those children believed among the worst affected is six-year-old STELLA HARE
.. toxicology results reportedly show more than 10 different metals are present in her
system.

Her mum says STELLA has behavioural and learning difficulties and has already had a
melanoma removed.

AAP RTV gd/pjo/sw/crh

KEYWORD: LEAD (BRISBANE)

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