Radioactive water risk keeps Ranger uranium mine closed
a threat of contaminated water leaking from Ranger into nearby waterways could keep the mine closed for the rest of this year….there’s no way the company will be able to safely treat the contaminated water stored at Ranger by the time the mining lease expires in 10 years….
AUDIO AM – Traditional Aboriginal land owners pressure uranium miner to shut up shop 08/04/2011 ABC Radio National. 08/04/2011 TONY EASTLEY: The Australian company that produces 10 per cent of the world’s uranium is under increasing pressure by Aboriginal 
traditional owners to shut up shop.The Mirarr people own the section of the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park that includes the Ranger uranium mine operated by Energy Resources of Australia.
Just days before ERA’s annual general meeting a scientist, who used to work for the company, says a threat of contaminated water leaking from Ranger into nearby waterways could keep the mine closed for the rest of this year.
MICHAEL COGGAN: The Ranger uranium mine has operated on a lease inside the heritage listed Kakadu National Park for 30 years.
The mine owner Energy Resources of Australia suspended operations at Ranger in January because a big wet season has swollen the mine’s tailings dam to near capacity.
At a public forum in Darwin last night the senior traditional owner of the mine site, Mirarr woman Yvonne Margarula, expressed her concerns about poor water management and potential downstream environmental damage if ERA continues mining at Ranger.
YVONNE MARGARULA: Ranger uranium mine, that on like the more mining and we still say no – no more mining.
MICHAEL COGGAN: Geoff Kyle is an industrial chemist who worked for ERA before being employed by the Mirarr people.
He told the forum organised by the Northern Territory Environment Centre there’s no way the company will be able to safely treat the contaminated water stored at Ranger by the time the mining lease expires in 10 years….
GEOFF KYLE: The facts are that the pit has already got a big mob of water in it and I can’t see Ranger getting started again this year.
MICHAEL COGGAN: The traditional owners are repeating calls for Ranger to be shut down permanently in the lead up to ERA’s annual general meeting next week. They also oppose the company’s plan to use an acid leaching process to increase production and the construction of a new exploratory mine shaft….
AM – Traditional Aboriginal land owners pressure uranium miner to shut up shop 08/04/2011
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1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 
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