Heavy Metal Leakage in Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter Groundwater: "22kg of Cadmium Flows In Daily"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Environment recently announced on the 8th that an investigation of groundwater at the site of Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk, confirmed the leakage of heavy metals such as cadmium outside the factory, and that containment and purification measures are being implemented.

Following the detection of high cadmium concentrations in an external stream near Smelter Plant 1 in April last year, the Ministry of Environment has been investigating the sources and leakage of heavy metal contamination in groundwater at Plants 1 and 2 for one year starting from August of the same year.

Tracer tests using fluorescent substances revealed that two fluorescent tracers injected into the injection wells inside the factory were detected in all groundwater monitoring wells outside the factory. This confirmed that groundwater inside and outside the factory is connected, allowing contaminants to leak.

High concentrations of cadmium exceeding groundwater quality standards by up to 250,000 times were detected in the groundwater within the smelter's internal facilities. The surrounding area has a highly permeable alluvial layer, which is presumed to have facilitated the easy movement of contaminated groundwater.

Cadmium contamination exceeding the soil contamination countermeasure standard (180 mg/kg) was also confirmed in the soil across the sites of Plants 1 and 2, with a maximum concentration of 2,691 mg/kg.

The Ministry of Environment estimated that approximately 22 kg of cadmium leaks daily into the external groundwater outside the factory. A Ministry official stated, "Using measured data such as cadmium concentration and groundwater levels, we calculated the total cadmium leakage based on leakage amounts for each section," adding, "The calculation method was verified by the Hydrogeology Society and underwent expert technical consultation."

Despite the external leakage of heavy metals, it is expected that drinking water will not be affected. The Ministry explained, "There are no water intake facilities within the main stream section from Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter to Andong Dam," and "All water intake facilities in Bonghwa-gun draw water from tributaries of the Nakdong River."

They added, "Water quality monitoring results at a point 35 km downstream from the smelter met all environmental standards for cadmium and other water pollutants."

The Ministry of Environment plans to verify whether the smelter violated relevant laws such as the Water Environment Conservation Act and take appropriate measures.

Previously, cadmium contamination in groundwater inside the Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter was confirmed, and since May last year, necessary measures such as installation of cutoff walls and pollution prevention facilities, and planning for contaminated groundwater purification facilities have been implemented.

Based on the recent investigation results, the Ministry requested the smelter to take additional supplementary measures to prevent groundwater leakage outside the site. A monitoring team will be formed to check monthly compliance with groundwater pollution prevention orders and to seek expert advice necessary for pollution and leakage prevention.

If the order to re-conduct a detailed soil survey of the entire factory site is implemented by December this year, the competent local government will also issue soil purification orders based on the survey results.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment announced that a separate measurement of rivers around Yeongpung Seokpo Smelter conducted in June this year showed that all 46 measurement points met water quality standards for six heavy metals including cadmium.

Reflecting these measurement results, the Ministry plans to strengthen measures related to pollution-risk facilities by checking monthly compliance status of business sites and conducting quarterly water quality monitoring.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.