PASMINCO QUESTIONS APPROPRIATENESS OF FEDERAL COURT

Pasminco has today asked the Federal court in Sydney to rule that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the class action proceeding relating to its smelter operations at Cockle Creek and Port Pirie.

The court has agreed to hear this matter on 9 May 2000.

The federal causes of action raised by the applicants, Mrs Cook and her daughter, involve allegations that emissions from Pasminco`s smelter constituted `defective` `goods` which it has manufactured and supplied to them. Pasminco maintains these claims are groundless.

The company is also disappointed that proceedings have commenced as a class action because it believes there cannot be any common issues in a case of this kind.

The approach to the Federal Court was a part of the defence Pasminco is making to protect its reputation and performance as an organisation that is committed to achieving high health and environmental standards.

Pasminco works continually with the community and regulators to achieve high standards relating to environmental performance. This remains a constant process as standards continue to change. For example, measures that may have been acceptable even as recently as ten years ago no longer apply.

The company remains fully aware that its continued operations depend on it achieving and maintaining community and regulatory support. As a result, Pasminco works with individuals, community and business groups, and with stringent government and regulatory guidelines at every site to ensure it effectively manages its performance.


For further information contact:

Peter Griffin
Group Manager Public Affairs
61 3 9288 0463 or 0419 314 265

David Lambert
General Counsel
61 3 9288 0425

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