Lead found in black dust
From the Townsville Bulletin: Lead found in black dust
04Apr07
HIGH levels of lead, copper and zinc have been found in a sample of black dust taken from a Yarrawonga home.
Environmental scientists say the levels are many times higher than the concentrations you would normally expect to find in soil, and should be cause for concern.
However, the State Government's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says one test from one sample is not enough to draw any conclusions.
The EPA conducted a Townsville Dust Investigation study from July 2005, after complaints from residents in Yarrawonga and city areas about a greasy black dust covering their homes.
The EPA released its findings last month concluding the dust fallout rate was low and that it was mostly mould.
Chinese sign $2.8bn bauxite, smelter deal
From the Australian:27 March 2007
A $2.8 BILLION Chinese deal to mine bauxite and build an aluminium smelter in Queensland was the largest foreign investment in the state's history, Acting Premier Anna Bligh said yesterday.
Ms Bligh and Chinese Vice-Premier Zen Peiyan were to sign the agreement last night with Aluminium Corporation of China (Chalco) on the rights to mine the Aurukun bauxite resource on Cape York Peninsula. The company is the world's second-biggest aluminium producer and has won an 18-month bidding process.
