Cockburn Cement, which is at the centre of a long-running political controversy over its environmental management, has been charged with causing pollution by allegedly failing to contain lime kiln dust emissions.
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) charged Cockburn Cement on Friday with causing pollution in the neighbourhood and contravening conditions of its environmental licence.
On April 28, 2010, Cockburn Cement allegedly caused emissions of lime kiln dust which escaped their facility in Munster and affected the environment and nearby residents.
The company also allegedly failed to adhere to its environmental licence by not disposing of its lime kiln dust in a wet state.
Cockburn Cement faces a fine of up to $500,000 for the pollution charge while it could be slapped with a $125,000 fine for contravening its environmental licence.
The Adelaide Brighton subsidiary is WA's largest lime and cement producer.
The company is installing a dust filter on one of its kilns, and in May, the state government ordered the company to install a filter on a second kiln; however, the company had the decision overturned on appeal to the Supreme Court.
The company will appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on October 21.
