The Environment Court says the parties involved in the Mataura Mill ouvea premix storage case will accelerate their efforts to remove the material from the town next week. 

Judge Lawrie Newhook said in a court minute issued on Friday October 30 that the parties “remain focused on the urgency of the situation and are continuing to act constructively and with expedition.” 

“Their expectation is that the accelerated removal from Mataura will commence in the second week of November. The aim is still to complete it by Christmas but that may be weather dependent,” Judge Newhook said. 

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The minute was issued as a media release. The parties include the Environmental Defence Society, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd, and the Minister for the Environment.  

They are not permitted to discuss the ongoing Environment Court mediation with the media. 

The case was brought by the Environmental Society, after the public raised concerns about the ongoing storage of the hazardous substance in Mataura. 

The material belongs to a company, Taha Pacific, which is in liquidation. Taha created the fertiliser premix from dross, a by product of the aluminium smelting process conducted at the Tiwai Point smelter near Bluff. 

The Environmental Defence Society is seeking a declaration whether the smelter company is responsible for removing the material from Mataura. 

Judge Newhook said he had directed “hard work and urgency on finalising contractual relationships and a further electronic conference for Monday 9 November.” 

The court has convened five mediation conferences with the parties so far.