The discovery of asbestos during a $5.2 billion iron ore mining project in Australia has caused work to come to a grinding halt. Work at CITIC Pacific’s $5.2 billion Sino iron ore project near Karratha has been shut down while union workers meet with company officials. Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union State Secretary Steve McCartney has demanded that CITIC stop work at the site. The union has raised serious concerns about workers who may have come into contact with asbestos. Between 700 and 800 workers are believed to have stopped work due to the demands of the union.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of mesothelioma repeatedly in many scientific studies. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, kills most patients within two years of being diagnosed. Mesothelioma affects thousands of new patients each year in countries all around the globe. Mesothelioma has a latency period of up to 50 years in some cases. Asbestos exposure is also linked to lung cancer and asbestosis.

According to McCartney, the asbestos was identified by workers who had been trained how to recognize asbestos. McCartney says he was also informed that asbestos-laden dirt may have been used as landfill at the mine. "The Minister for Mines needs to get WorkSafe to halt work at the mine and order an immediate investigation to ensure the lives of workers are not put at further risk by exposure to deadly asbestos material," he said.

However, a project spokesman says there is nothing to fear. "Most WA iron ore mining operations contend with the issue of fibrous materials and the Sino Iron project takes its responsibility in this area very seriously," the spokesman said. "This includes the use of personal protective equipment, static and personal monitoring, use of specialized filters to all site mobile equipment, dust suppression and wet drilling methods.”