Sludge leaks from SW China aluminum plant

NANNING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Sludge has been leaking from an aluminum plant in Baise City, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, since mid-June, government authorities confirmed Monday.

On June 17, leakage containing ore waste was found at a sludge tank at a plant of the Guangxi Branch of the Aluminum Corporation of China, according to the Guangxi Regional Department of Environmental Protection.

The leak occurred after frequent small earthquakes measuring below 3-magnitude have shaken the area since June 17. The amount of leaked material increased after a 2.3-magnitude quake on Friday.

The site of the leak is about 12 km away from the Youjiang River, a major source of drinking water for Baise City.

As of Monday, leaked sludge had not been detected in the Youjiang River and nearby channels.

The plant and local government authorities have taken emergency measures to stop the leak.

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