Magellan Metals, the company at the centre of the Esperance lead contamination crisis, had applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to export the lead from its Wiluna mine through Fremantle.

Magellan was stopped from shipping the product through Esperance after if was discovered lead dust was escaping into the town and leading to high lead blood levels among parts of the population, including some children.

The EPA today gave its in-principle go ahead for the export through Fremantle, subject to environmental conditions.
 
Management of lead emissions at the minesite, along the transport route and at Fremantle was the main concern, said Paul Vogel, the EPA's chairman.
 
"The lead concentrate is to be sealed in United Nations and state government approved bulk bags and loaded into shipping containers, which are then closed with a steel bolt until arrival overseas," Dr Vogel said.

"An accredited, independent, inspector will ensure that there is no fugitive lead dust on the outside surfaces of both the bulk bags and the shipping containers prior to leaving the minesite."

The EPA report will be sent to Environment Minister David Templeman, who will make the final decision on the proposal.