Alcoa, Pinjarra: Five workers suffer toxic burns in horror chemical spill at mining refinery
Five workers have suffered toxic burns after a major chemical spill at a mining facility.
The incident took place on Tuesday at a refinery owned by mining giant Alcoa, in Pinjarra, about 90 kilometers south of Perth.
Emergency services were called to the aluminum processing site at 3:30 p.m., after which two men rushed to the site Fiona Stanley Hospital. One of them is believed to be in his 60s, while the other man is in his 30s.
Both are reportedly in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
The other three workers were treated at the scene.
The incident took place on Tuesday at a refinery owned by mining giant Alcoa, in Pinjarra, about 90 kilometers south of Perth.
The investigation into the cause of the leak has yet to begin, but WorkSafe WA has been notified of the incident.
The company told Ny Breaking Australia that “Alcoa’s focus and thoughts are with those injured and their families.”
βThe company is cooperating with authorities and a full investigation will be conducted,β a spokesperson said.
‘No further information is available at this time. Further updates will be provided when more information becomes available.β
Alcoa, headquartered in Pittsburgh in the United States, operates three aluminum refineries in Western Australia, with the third plant located in Kwinara, about 40 kilometers south of Perth.
The Pinjarra refinery, founded in 1972, is one of the largest aluminum refineries in the world.
The plant produces almost five million tons of alumina, the raw material used in aluminum production, every year.
The refinery employs approximately 1,160 people.
Emergency services were called to the factory at 3.30pm, while two men were rushed to Fiona Stanley Hospital. One of the men was said to be in his 60s, while the other man was in his 30s