Embley River

Location:

Embley River is located in Weipa, Queensland.The Embley River feeds in to Albatross Bay together with the Mission, Hey and Pine Rivers and the Nomenade Creek. The Embley River catchment is part of the Albatross Bay Catchment Area

Issues:

Decline in native vegetation:

The development of Weipa has resulted in the removal of some original vegetation including mangroves from the banks of the estuary. Flora and fauna have been directly disturbed.

Decline in turtle population:

The main activities affecting turtle populations include fisheries by-catch, harvesting of turtles and their eggs by traditional owners and eggs eaten by feral animals such as pigs.

Turbidity:

During the wet season plumes of freshwater from the surrounding rivers transport turbid, brackish water into Albatross Bay with plumes also flowing into the Bay during ebb tides.

Invasive Marine Species:

Invasive marine species enter the area in ballast from international vessels as with the Asian green mussel in 2006.

Invasive animal species:

Black or house rat invasions are an ongoing problem here as in most ports. Feral pigs are also an issue.

Invasive weeds:

Invasive weeds include coffee bush, gamba grass, para grass and salvinia.

Important Information

Rio Tinto Alcan is a Chinese owned company.
Water Buffaloes are found in Weipa.
There is Cattle Farming in Weipa.
Pandanus Tree is found in Weipa.
Rising Temperatures is a huge threat to the Green Turtle.

Rio Tinto Alcan - Weipa

Operations Overview

Commercial quantities of bauxite were discovered on Aboriginal lands at Weipa in western Cape York in 1955. The discovery was made by geologist Harry Evans who was assisted by George Wilson (Piiramu), Old Matthew (Wakmatha) and Lea Wassell. In 1961, six years after Evans' discovery, bauxite mining began on Cape York Peninsula. 1964 was the first year of commercial production with 453,365 tonnes of bauxite mined and shipped. Forty five years later, in 2009, this annual production figure had increased to 16.3 million dry product tonnes (Mdpt).

In 2008 Rio Tinto Alcan began a feasibility study and environmental impact assessment to extend the Weipa mine in an area south of the Embley River.

Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa operates under two individual land use agreements - the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement (WCCCA) and the Ely Bauxite Mining Project Agreement (EBMPA). These agreements provide economic, education and employment benefits as well as cultural heritage support and formal consultation processes between the company and Traditional Owners.

Source: http://www.riotintoalcan.com/ENG/ourproducts/1803_weipa.asp

Victims found in Embley River

Villains found in Embley River

Embley River

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