Antinuclear

Narrow assessment will allow BHP’s uranium mine to go ahead

Public inquiry not possible on uranium mining

Perth Now

Narelle Towie, science and environment reporter

October 09, 2009

ENVIRONMENT Minister Donna Faragher has today ruled out holding a public inquiry into BHP Billiton’s proposal for a $17 billion uranium mine in WA.

WA Labor, conservation groups, Greens, indigenous communities and the Unions WA  have been calling for a 30-year-old  act governing uranium mining in the state to be overhauled.

They say a tougher assessment process for proposed uranium mines needs to be established. ……………BHP began pushing ahead with its Yeelirrie project after the Barnett Government lifted a ban on mining uranium in November last year.

Uranium is used as fuel for nuclear power plants and its radioactive waste has a half-life of thousands of years.

Ms Faragher has now extended consultation period for the public from the usual 10 weeks to 14.

Public inquiry not possible on uranium mining | PerthNow

October 10, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, legal, politics, uranium, Western Australia | antinuclear, Australia, BHP, BHP Billiton, nuclear, radioactive, uranium