Mining magnate Clive Palmer's push to dump tailings risk a to Great Barrier Reef

CRISIS: Yabulu refinery tailing ponds are dangerously high and (inset) Clive Palmer is desperate they be emptied into the sea. Source: The Courier-Mail

A COMPANY owned by Queensland's richest man, Clive Palmer, is seeking approval to dump millions of litres of contaminated water into the ocean off north Queensland in a move that could threaten the Great Barrier Reef.

The Courier-Mail understands a crisis is developing at the Palmer-owned Yabulu Nickel Refinery north of Townsville where tailing ponds are dangerously high and at risk of catastrophic failure.

The situation has developed over several years largely because of the wet weather.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke is monitoring the situation.

Yabulu, owned by Queensland Nickel, recently requested the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority allow it to pump out the ponds for 370 days.

The water in the ponds is believed to equate with the treated sewage of a city of several million people.

Discussions with GBRMPA saw that request revised down to 40 days but Mr Palmer has continued to ask to dump all the tailing water immediately.

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Courier Mail