Work starts on facility

Ground was broken on Australia’s first mercury treatment facility last Thursday, with BMT Mercury Technology officially turning the sod on its new project in Kwinana.

The state-of-the-art facility will be based on the corner of Donaldson and Burton roads in Kwinana Beach.

Initially based in the Netherlands, BMT’s new Kwinana facility is the company’s first expansion into Australia and follows previous expansion into Thailand.

BMT global chief executive Robert Jan Dubbeldam said the new facility would provide oil and gas operators with a safe option to remove, dispose and stabilise mercury.

“As a leading and proven specialist in waste treatment we are answering the call of industry to provide a domestic solution that meets the Minamata Convention,” Mr Dubbeldam said.

The Minamata Convention is a treaty on the emissions and release of mercury and mercury compounds. “The Kwinana Beach facility will treat and dispose of mercury contaminated by-products from the liquefied natural gas industry.”

BMT general manager Oceania Karen Boyce said the company’s first expansion into Australia was an exciting development.

“As recognised industry experts this is an exciting time for the company as we expand our global footprint and build our third mercury treatment facility in Kwinana,” Ms Boyce said.

“The location was selected not only for its road transport access but also because the Kwinana Industry Council leadership mirrors BMT’s environmental values.”

Construction is expected to be finished by the end of 2018.