Antinuclear

S.A. govt should come clean on Arkaroola uranium mining policy

Creating a national park would give the SA Premier a boost in the polls, with mining in the sanctuary highly unpopular among voters. However, converting the land to national park would not affect the mining lease. Marathon was recently granted a 12-month extension to its licence at Arkaroola.

National park rumours take toll on SA uranium miner | The Australian,  Verity Edwards and Damon Kitney February 21, 2011 1 The value of controversial mining company Marathon Resources has fallen by $4.9 million amid speculation the Rann government will declare the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary a national park.
Marathon, which holds an exploratory uranium mining licence within the South Australian sanctuary, would not comment on the rumours or their effect on its share price. At close of trade on Friday, shares had fallen almost 12 per cent to 69c, with the company’s market capital falling to $66.9m.
The Rann government also denied a decision was imminent, despite rumours of a national park declaration in mining, legal and conservation circles.

Arkaroola’s pastoral lease holder Marg Sprigg said the government had not consulted her family about the move, which could harm the family’s conservation efforts. “I would be amazed if they did,” she said. “I couldn’t see what the benefit would be in turning it into a national park

Creating a national park would give the SA Premier a boost in the polls, with mining in the sanctuary highly unpopular among voters. However, converting the land to national park would not affect the mining lease. Marathon was recently granted a 12-month extension to its licence at Arkaroola.

Liberal senator Nick Minchin, an opponent of mining at Arkaroola, said: “The objective is to make sure there is no mining in Arkaroola. The simple way to do that is for this government simply to announce it via policy

National park rumours take toll on SA uranium miner | The Australian

February 20, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, South Australia | South Australia