A Gladstone company has been fined $1 million for causing serious environmental harm, following a major chemical release at its alumina refinery. The release occurred when a pipe in a high-pressure system ruptured in March 2022. The pipe was carrying a dangerous chemical mixture called spent liquor, which turned into a vapour plume that drifted into a nearby Gladstone residential area. Article continues after this ad AdvertisementWhile no injuries were reported, the incident posed a potential significant risk to residents’ health, as spent liquor contains sodium hydroxide. On Monday, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court and fined $1 million after pleading guilty to three offences against the Environmental Protection Act 1994, including one count of unlawfully causing serious environmental harm and two counts of contravening a condition of its environmental authority.