OneSteel receives new sustainability licence

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has presented OneSteel with South Australia's third EPA Sustainability Licence.

The new sustainability licence is only presented to businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to reducing their impact on the environment.

EPA Presiding Member Cheryl Bart AO said OneSteel’s Project Magnet had already made great progress in dust reduction; however, the company has vowed to continue its sustainability journey.

“Since Project Magnet’s completion in 2008, OneSteel has introduced further initiatives to lessen the company’s impact on the local community,” Bart said.

“These initiatives have involved closing and capping the northern stockpiles, removing redundant equipment from pelletising and reducing spillage at the pellet plant.

“OneSteel has also committed to a Community Dust Target that progressively tightens each year, leading to a better environment for the people of Whyalla.

“And as part of the sustainability licence negotiations, OneSteel committed to reaching the 2011 community dust targets ahead of time in 2010.”

The Sustainability Licence commits OneSteel to continually improving its environmental performance as well as actively working with the community.

Initial targets OneSteel aims to achieve under its Sustainability Licence, include:

• reducing reliance on the River Murray
• improving energy and carbon efficiency
• reducing waste generation and improving product yield
• improving environmental awareness amongst staff
• maintaining social and ethical responsibility by promoting values and initiatives that actively engage the community of Whyalla

Minister for Environment and Conservation Paul Caica congratulated OneSteel on its ongoing efforts to improve its environmental performance.

"The South Australian Government encourages other EPA-licensed businesses to follow this effort and seek to sign up for their own Sustainability Licence," Caica said.

A copy of OneSteel’s Sustainability Licence is available on the EPA website at www.epa.sa.gov.au.