Antinuclear

Warning on expansion of Olympic Dam uranium mine – report from the ground

“Recent research from Monash University has demonstrated that the mine could operate profitably exporting copper, gold and silver but not uranium. We would like to see the radioactive risks left out of this mine expansion. It is incredibly disappointing that BHP continues to peddle the fiction that uranium export is necessary and unavoidable.”

ROXBY EIS CONCERNS ENVIRONMENTALISTS FROM THE  NORTH TO THE SOUTH 23 May 11, The annual Friends of the Earth’s Radioactive Exposure Tour has visited the Olympic Dam mine a week after BHP Billiton‘s Supplementary EIS was released.

The expansion plans which include a 3.5km X 4.1km open pit mine have triggered concerns with environmentalists from Darwin to Melbourne. Cat Beaton from the Environment Centre NT has joined the tour: “This new mine will put pressure on our roads as BHP plan to transport two trucks a day of radioactive uranium-copper concentrate up the Stuart Highway and out through East Arm Wharf near Darwin.

“Tailings management has been highly problematic at Roxby and it will be even more difficult if tailings generation increases from 10 to 68 million tonnes annually.”

With 35 participants the tour has run for the last 30 years, travelling through SA and hearing from stakeholders concerns about the nuclear industry.

Dr Jim Green, national nuclear campaigner for Friends of the Earth said: “Recent research from Monash University has demonstrated that the mine could operate profitably exporting copper, gold and silver but not uranium. We would like to see the radioactive risks left out of this mine expansion. It is incredibly disappointing that BHP continues to peddle the fiction that uranium export is necessary and unavoidable.

“The public should be concerned that BHP refuses to relinquish its indefensible exemptions from the Environmental Protection Act, Aboriginal Heritage Act and Freedom of Information Act.”

Contact: Cat Beaton and Jim Green 0425 863 834

May 23, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Opposition to nuclear, South Australia, uranium | Opposition to nuclear, South Australia