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Category: Pollution / Building and Construction / Environment / Health

Plan to turn ash into building materials could create 500 jobs

Friday, 6 Jan 2017 08:37:54

Ash plumes from the former power station have blown across Port Augusta. (ABC News)

Ash waste from the former Port Augusta power station in South Australia's north could be used in building materials in a move that would create 500 jobs in the region, a company says.

Nu-Rock said it had developed a chemical process to treat the potentially toxic ash used in coal burning, to use it in products like building blocks and pavers.

The company is visiting Port Augusta today to look at the ash dams at the former Alinta Energy power station, which have been causing health fears for residents as plumes of dust become airborne.

Nu-Rock said it could create a plant at Port Augusta that would create more than $3 billion worth of building products, and said it would seal the ash dams as the materials were mined.

Port Augusta ash sign Photo: Residents are concerned about the health impacts of the dust. (ABC News)

Senator Nick Xenophon has backed the proposal.

"The Australian Government and the South Australian Government haven't seized the opportunity with this," he said.

Senator Xenophon said Nu-Rock had a pilot plant up and running near Lithgow in New South Wales.

"It basically converts fly ash into building products. It uses a chemical bonding process that actually exceeds Australian standards," he said.

"In the United States, one of the biggest energy companies there ... has actually signed up with them to convert their fly ash into building products.

"You can actually make building products at about half the cost of conventional bricks. You use 98 per cent less energy."

Ian Hunter Photo: Residents have accused SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter of failing to act. (ABC News)

Senator Xenophon said the cost of the project would be "in the order of $40 million".

"It would create 500 jobs for Port Augusta. It could be done in terms of commercial loans guaranteed by the Government that could be paid back within 36 months," he said.

"The cost of the remediation proposals to date are actually going to cost more, as I understand it, than what this proposal would cost.

"This proposal comes with hundreds of jobs and a net economic benefit to the state in the billions of dollars over the next 20 years."

Further details are expected to be revealed at a media conference later today.

AustraliaPlus


 

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