XSTRATA is being sued by a girl who was exposed to dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium and other toxic elements.
The suit was lodged by Slater and Gordon by Daphne Hare, the mother of the girl, seeking unspecified damages for injuries.
According to a lawyer from the firm, this case would be the first of many. He claims many parents have already approached it regarding the serious developmental issues for the children affected by the contamination.
This lawsuit comes after Xstrata claimed the mining company had taken its health responsibilities seriously, having worked with health authorities in managing lead levels in the Mount Isa community.
Queensland Health will release a report into the blood lead levels of 403 children in the local area next month. The report is expected to show that 45 of the children tested had lead levels above the World Health Organisation recommended level of 10 micrograms per decilitre.
High lead levels can impair behavioural and intellectual development. According to the lawsuit, the chemicals the girl was subject to was affecting her brain and nerve function and development.
The claim also alleges that Queensland Health has been aware of the problem since at least 1990 when tests revealed significant contamination by lead, cadmium and arsenic at various sites in Mount Isa.
