There are reports that global miner BHP Billiton Ltd
(ASX:BHP) is being sued by an environmental group in the US over alleged water contamination at its operations in New Mexico.
A Fairfax report says court documents reveal that the miner’s coal mine near Farmington in north-west New Mexico is reportedly discharging substances such as arsenic, lead, chromium and sulphates into water systems used by neighbouring communities.
If found in high enough concentrations, the chemicals called coal combustion waste, are potentially lethal.
The documents reveal that in some cases the waste being discharged has been recorded at levels 200 times above water-quality standards.
BHP however, says the allegations are not supported by water mentoring data which it says is submitted to the state of New Mexico Mining and Minerals division on a quarterly basis.
The miner says all data submitted indicate that the coal combustion waste flowing from its coal mine has not adversely affected water quality and is in compliance with all state and federal regulations.
BHP’s financial year 2009 profit came to over $7.2 billion.
