THE NSW Minerals Council (NSWMC) has hit back at speculations linking coal mining to elevated lead levels in water.
A MineWatch report suggesting that mining is responsible for contaminating water in NSW schools prompted further investigations from the NSWMC.
Coal mining dominates the NSW industry, with 22 projects currently underway within the state. Environmentalists believe coal combustion may eventually contaminate water supplies with mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxic metals.
However, the Department of Education [www.det.nsw.edu.au] found there was “absolutely no link with mining areas”, and says lead in water comes from roofs and old lead flashing.
The NSWMC says the claims misrepresent the mining industry, and there is no supporting evidence.
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