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- Lithium Australia’s (LIT) subsidiary, Envirostream Australia, has responded to a news article published by the Melbourne Age yesterday
- The article in question alleges the company has been “running an unlicensed, high-risk facility in Melbourne’s northern suburbs”
- Envirostream says “it has not been operating at above 500 tonnes per annum of specified waste at any of its Melbourne sites,” saying “this means it doesn’t need an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licence to operate”
- However, the company said it has been served breach notices on July 8, 2020, by the local council on two of its facilities in Melbourne for not having the appropriate council planning permits
- Envirostream is in ongoing discussions with the council and intends to apply for the correct permits
- On the market this afternoon, LIT is up 3.85 per cent and is trading for 5.4 cents per share
Lithium Australia’s (LIT) subsidiary, Envirostream Australia, has responded to a news article published by the Melbourne Age yesterday.
Envirostream operates Australia’s only mixed-battery recycling facilities in Melbourne, Australia and recycles over 90% of the battery materials processed.
The article caused a stir, causing LIT to put its shares in a trading halt. The article in question alleges the company has been “running an unlicensed, high-risk facility in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.”
The article also alleges the company has been ordered by the “Hume City Council to “cease” and “clean up” its operations at two of its premises in Campbellfield.
Envirostream says “the company has not been operating at above 500 tonnes per annum (tpa) of specified waste at any of its Melbourne sites,” saying “this means the business is not required to hold an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) licence to operate.”
Earlier this month, Envirostream applied for an EPA Victoria work permit for one of its Melbourne premises to operate above 500tpa of specified waste due to its expected growth.
“The company is currently working very closely with the EPA to demonstrate industry best practice in its recycling process, and the granting of an expanded work permit in advance of that capacity being required,” LIT told the market today.
“The EPA has not issued Envirostream with any breach notices following its visits to the company’s premises,” LIT stated.
Worksafe Victoria has also visited the premises on a number of occasions and issued no breach notices regarding these premises.
However, the company said it has been served breach notices on July 8, 2020, by the local council on two of its facilities in Melbourne for not having the appropriate council planning permits.
Envirostream is in ongoing discussions with the council and intends to apply for the correct permits.
The company is continuing to process all lithium-ion battery inventories to reduce any potential fire and safety risks, as there is a current expectation that 80 tonnes of material will be processed this quarter.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne, the required rectification is taking longer than normal. The current expectation to rectify is between 30 and 60 days.
“The company has also held permit application meetings with the local council and has been granted an extension for the lodgment of its additional permit applications which will be lodged later this week,” LIT explained.
“Envirostream and the local council are in good faith discussions to reduce operating risks and for the continuing operations at both premises,” it added.
On the market this afternoon, LIT is up 3.85 per cent and is trading for 5.4 cents per share at 2:20 pm AEST.
