Police arrest resident at MMG Rosebery mine

Pet dog died and mine refuse to release environmental test results for residents’ property

Two Rosebery residents have contacted the Taskforce following the police arrest and charging of Mrs Jan Davis at the MMG Rosebery premises on Tuesday 12th October 2010.

MMG Environmental Manager Jim Irvine, called the Rosebery police to remove Mrs Davis from the mine site on Tuesday after a discussion with Christine Winskill outside the offices at the MMG site.

Mrs Davis was providing Mrs Winskill with a DVD to pass on to MMG’s Community Stakeholder Relations Officer Mark Foran.

Mrs Davis had requested to speak with Mine Manager John Lamb but this request had been refused. Mrs Davis had asked Mr Lamb for results of testing on her property and was very distressed by the terrible death of her pet dog Wombat from suspected heavy metal poisoning last Sunday 10th October. (On TT: HERE )

“The Taskforce is deeply concerned with the way MMG has treated a resident who has in good faith been attempting to have discussions with the mine about the serious effects of heavy metal contamination on her property.” said Ms Seltitzas.

“Mr and Mrs Davis contacted me on Tuesday and were in a state of shock following Mrs Jan Davis’ arrest as a result of Mr Jim Irvine calling the police to the mine site.

A “Tasmania Police officer took Mrs Davis to Rosebery Police Station, charged her with trespass and she has been banned from Hospital Road other than the Medical Centre or contacting any employee of MMG Rosebery mine.

“Over several months Mrs Davis has repeatedly requested the results from household and other dust damples taken by GHD for MMG from her property in April this year. Some results had been provided to her but not all of them. Mrs Davis agreed to the testing being conducted on the understanding that all results would be made available to her following MMG public statements that residents would receive the results.

“Wombat’s death from suspected heavy metal poisoning is not the first case of a dog being diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning in Rosebery.

“Mr and Mrs Davis are cuurently both undergoing various health assessments.

“The Taskforce will be contacting Mr John Lamb today and requesting that he drop any charges for trespass against Mrs Davis. We consider these charges to be a hostile and inappropriate action towards a 64 year old disability pensioner, who has a right to know results of mine testing on her property, is grieving for her beloved pet and caring for her 73 year old husband who is very ill and distressed by the mine’s appalling actions.” said Ms Seltitzas.