Asia-Pacific

Complaint filed against Rio Tinto for oil spill

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-06-17 14:33

A train loaded with iron ore travels towards the Rio Tinto Parker Point iron ore facility in Dampier in the Pilbara region of Western Australia April 20, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

SYDNEY - A complaint has been filed against Rio Tinto Alcan in Australia, saying the mining giant is responsible for a leak of 19,000 gallons (75,000 liters) of oil into the ground.

The Department of Resources for the Northern Territory lodged the complaint earlier this month and announced it on Friday. The oil leaked last year from a storage tanker at Rio Tinto Alcan's Gove aluminum mine.

The complaint alleges that the company let the inspection lapse on the tank, and that the leak contaminated soil and groundwater.

If found responsible, Rio Tinto Alcan could be fined between 125,000 and 1.25 million Australian dollars ($132,000 and $1.3 million).

Rio Tinto Alcan said Friday that it is working to contain and fix the damage caused by the spill.