An environmental charity has received a payout of £430,000 from a minerals company after multiple incidents of clay pollution across Cornwall.
Imerys Minerals Limited will pay the money to West Country Rivers Trust after the Environment Agency (EA) found six pollution incidents between 2021 and 2023.
In one incident in September 2021, an underground pipeline at Imerys’ clay production plant failed, releasing on the surrounding land as well as entering the Gwindra Stream, which then leads to the River Fal.
Imerys estimated that an equivalent weight of clay lost was 87.8 dry tonnes. Sampling suggested environmental impacts were still present two months after the incident.
A second clay discharge to the Gwindra Stream took place in December 2022.
Other incidents included the failure of a buried pipeline joint, causing a clay discharge into a stream, and a leaking joint at Imerys Maclarens tank site, causing clay to flow into the River Fal.
EA costs covered
Imerys, which operates several open-pit mine sites, made the offer after an EA investigation into the incidents.
In agreeing to the sanction, which is known as an enforcement undertaking and can be used as an alternative to a prosecution, Imerys has implemented measures to reduce the likelihood of a similar pollution incident happening again.
This includes a review of operational procedures, installation of new equipment and a commitment to a 10-year pipeline replacement strategy.
The company will also cover the EA’s investigation and enforcement costs of £22,600.
The money received by the West Country Rivers Trust, which recorded an annual income of £4.1m in its most recently filed accounts, will be used to improve fish migration and engage local communities to monitor and improve river health.
EA team leader, Jack Hale, said: “This commitment allows Imerys to put things right in a way that directly benefits the environment.
“We are pleased that the money will go towards improving water quality and fish habitat in the area.
Charity focused on future projects
Stephanie Knights, head of river restoration at the West Country Rivers Trust, said: “The River Fal catchment is an area of exceptional environmental value, yet it faces significant pressure from a legacy of mining and quarrying.
“We are exploring fish passage solutions with the Environment Agency and habitat improvement opportunities, whilst pursuing research partnerships with the University of Exeter, and engaging local communities through our citizen science investigations programme to monitor and champion river health.”
A spokesperson for Imerys said: “We are pleased to conclude this matter with the Environment Agency in such a way that directly benefits our local area.
“In addition, our 10-year pipeline management strategy – into which we invested over £400,000 last year and will do so again this year – means we will significantly improve our clay transportation efficiency, reducing the potential for clay pipe failures in the future.
“We are focusing on our priority water discharge points to ensure these have continuous water quality monitoring, and new potential treatment options.”
