Peru fines Antamina’s owners US$77,000 for toxic spill
…The country’s environment minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal told…that the Antamina consortium, which comprises BHP Billiton, Glencore Xstrata plc, Teck Resources Ltd and Mitsubishi Corp, has been fined 207,200 soles (US$77,000) for the spill, which occurred on July 25 last year when a burst pipeline leaked copper concentrate at a pumping station in the Ancash region. Around 60 locals were said to have received medical treatment at the time, including a number who were hospitalised. Villagers complained of recurring symptoms, including nosebleeds, nausea, blurred vision and headaches following the spill. Antamina personnel were also strongly criticised for the delay in alerting the authorities.