Residents from the territory town of Borroloola mounted a protest on Thursday morning in Sydney, calling on Swiss multinational mining company Glencore to close its McArthur River mine and rehabilitate the site.
Concerns about the mine, which is the largest bulk zinc and lead export mine in the world, were heightened in 2013 after its waste dump began to spontaneously combust.
Reports that fish in the tributaries of the McArthur River contain high levels of lead have also alarmed First Nation’s residents, who traditionally rely on the river for food.
Lauren Mellor from the Mineral Policy Institute says Borroloola has seen its services deteriorating over the life of the mine.
Traditional owner Conrad Rory was also at the protest. He says the diverting of the McArthur River has disrupted the way of life for the four clans that live along around the river.
Image: abc.net.au
