Review: Uranium, wastes, racism, nuke costs
Review of past week. by Christina Macpherson 2 Sept 09 Australia: Yeelirree uranium mine. W.A govt is not adequately assessing Environmental Review. Ferguson’s continued silence on federal govt’s plans for NT nuclear waste dump, Calls for NT to become “wildly rich” with nuclear power, despite the worldwide decline in commercial nuclear power. UN human rights expert James Anaya criticises Australia’s racist intervention in NT. Capd York aborigines keen for wind farm project. Uranium spot prices stay down.
Internationally: Hanford and other US nuclear fear they’ll become USA’s nuke waste dump. Finland’s Olkiluoto-3 nuclear reactor’s costs skyrocket, as AREVA takes court action against Finnish company. In Africa, nuclear electricity company makes record loss.
Some BHP Billiton shareholders concerned about Olympic Dam uranium mine’s”poisonous legacy”
Olympic Dam opponents willing to sacrifice dividends
ABC News 27 Aug 09A group of BHP Billiton shareholders who oppose the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine say they would rather forego any dividends from the project than see the environment damaged.
The BHP Shareholders for Social Responsibility group is made up of long-term shareholders from across the nation.
In a submission to BHP Billiton’s draft environmental impact statement, the group’s convener, John Poppins, says among other concerns, there is too much uncertainty about the impact on the local estuary of locating a desalination plant at Point Lowly.
Mr Poppins says BHP has no rectification plan if damage occurs and while shareholders stand to benefit from the expansion, it is a short-term view.
“Some shareholders are of the view that we can forego some of our dividends by looking to do things better environmentally or socially,” he said.
He says the mine will create a poisonous legacy for the future.
Location of BHP Billiton’s proposed desalination plant opposed
Australian environment body calls for shifting of BHP Billiton’s desalination plant domain-b.com news 24 August 2009
Environmental concerns over mining major, BHP Billiton’s expansion plans at Roxy Downs have come to the fore with the Australian Conservation Foundation calling for the shifting of a desalination plant from Upper Spencer Gulf in South Australia………………………
According to Dave Noonan from the foundation, the company has no choice but to shift the plant to address the environmental and other concerns. He added that the company should accept that a desalination at the planned location would not be allowed and that they would not be allowed to design a mine to leak millions of liters of radioactive waste a day.
domain-b.com : Australian environment body calls for shifting of BHP Billiton’s desalination plant
Olympic Dam uranium mine expansion will go ahead, no matter what?
SA assures BHP Billiton on Olympic Dam environmental concerns
Business Spectator 25 August 09
The South Australian government has raised a number of environmental concerns with BHP Billiton Ltd about its planned $20 billion expansion of Olympic Dam, but assured the miner the proposal is not under threat……………
The $20 billion project will convert the underground mine into a massive open pit through an excavation of rock and waste material that will take around six years to complete………….
“None of the issues that have been highlighted by the government authorities are dealbreakers,” acting Premier Kevin Foley told the newspaper.
Business Spectator – News – SA assures BHP Billiton on Olympic Dam environmental concerns
Liberals join Greens against some uranium mining in South Australia
Greens, Libs fight wilderness mining
ABC News 2 Sept 09
The Greens and Liberals are joining forces to urge the South Australian Government to keep mining out of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the Flinders Ranges. Continue reading
Radiation warning for BHP Olympic Dam expansion
perth now Steve Larkin August 24, 2009
BHP Billiton has been told by governments to provide more information on radiation risks of the proposed expansion of the company’s Olympic Dam mine. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 