High rates of a disease remain persistent among nearby Indigenous communities as the situation continues to affect the region.
The government is considering policy options that could permit energy companies to discharge treated mining waste into the river system, potentially altering current environmental safeguards.
The potential regulatory changes are under review, with authorities weighing the balance between industrial activity and public health and ecological protection.
For affected communities, the issue underscores ongoing concerns about environmental justice, water quality, and the long-term impacts of mining operations in the area.