Geraldton’s ‘dust-up’ strikes again: Boat owner seeking restitution from Karara Mining for iron ore damage

As Geraldton’s “dust-up” over iron ore contamination continues, a local boat owner is seeking restitution from a mining company for his magnetite-damaged boat. James Harrington, WA Bores managing director, said his boat was completely covered in black iron ore dust immediately after it had been polished. According to Mr Harrington, the iron ore severely damaged his boat and allegedly came from the uncovered Karara Mining trailers. Mr Harrington said his boat was sitting out of the water for about eight days, which was enough for the vessel to be completely covered and destroyed by the black dust. “The iron ore damaged the paint work and started rusting up all of the stainless steel because it reacts with it,” he said. “I have contacted the ports authority and Karara Mining. I got a response from a guy at Karara, and he just said to me what I said had happened was bull…t.”’ Mr Harrington said he sent both photos and videos of the black iron ore dust on his boat after being parked next to the port’s railway to Karara Mining. He claimed the company’s spokesperson said it was soot from bushfires down south – not iron ore from uncovered Karara trains. “They treated me like I was an absolute idiot, and it wasn’t very good,” he said. Mr Harrington said he then stopped hearing back from the mining company so he engaged a lawyer to seek restitution for the damage to his boat. “We are demanding payment. Not even payment for the damage, just payment for the cleaning and re-polishing,” Mr Harrington said. Before Karara’s dust allegedly ruined Mr Harrington’s boat when it was parked by the railway line, the initial polish cost about $16,000. Mr Harrington said the quote he received to get his boat cleaned and polished again was about $18,000. “Even if it is cleaned and polished again, it will never look the same. It will never be the same again,” he said. “There will always be a black tinge to it from the dust. It is stuck in all the upholstery.” Mr Harrington’s case and allegation against Karara Mining is not the first and adds to a growing pile of community complaints and concerns. Dean Parker, a major driver of the local “dust-up” movement, said a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation investigator contacted him to confirm scientists would be sent to Geraldton later in the year to investigate the alleged iron ore contamination. A DWER spokesperson told the Geraldton Guardian the department was looking into the issue, however it was unclear when investigators would visit the city to conduct their research into the matter. Karara Mining has been contacted for comment.