Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

BHP Billiton spends up big to set up nuclear front think tank

The production of fuels for the civil nuclear industry is an important debate that UCL wants to encourage,………

BHP signs $10m deal to set up energy research facilities, THE AUSTRALIAN, Verity Edwards , June 11, 2011 BHP Billiton has signed a $10 million deal to establish two energy institutes in partnership with University College London, in Britain and in Adelaide, in a move that could signal its intention to commit itself to the $20 billion Olympic Dam expansion.

The Institute for Sustainable Resources in London and the Energy Policy Institute in Adelaide will focus on postgraduate research, including renewable energies and nuclear enrichment and power. UCL Adelaide chief executive David Travers said the partnership would build on the world’s fourth-ranked university’s international research capabilities and its ability to influence the energy debate. Continue reading

June 11, 2011 Posted by | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, spinbuster | 2 Comments

BHP Billiton’s huge free water extraction from Great Artesian Basin, for Olympic Dam uranium mine

Save the Great Artesian Basin From Olympic Dam Uranium Mine, Save the Basin, 10 June 11 THE BLOGGER IS A BHP BILLITON SHAREHOLDER. On 13 May 2011 the company announced a proposal for six-fold expansion of Olympic Dam Mine in South Australia – to extract the most valuable single mineral deposit in the world. The mine will consume up to 42 million litres of water a day from the Great Artesian Basin for plus 40 years.
THAT USE OF THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN BY THAT MINE IS THE ISSUE WHICH THIS BLOG ADDRESSES.

The justification by BHP Billition for its ongoing demand on the Great Artesian Basin is set out at 4.3.4 of Chapter 4 of the company’s Final Proposal published on 13 May, 2011. …

…The company does intend to increase GAB extraction by 9 million litres a day as part of the mine expansion – to that extent therefore the reference in the second paragraph to “…significant improvements in water use efficiency…” is deceptive.  Not a drop of the “significant improvements in water use efficiency” is offset against GAB demand by the mine……

  • The protection of the GAB from the expanded Olympic Dam Mine can be achieved through the Approval Process that is now in the hands of the Federal and South Australian Governments – in the form of the Conditions of Consent imposed on the company through the Approval Process.
  • This issue should now be brought to the attention of every Member of the Federal and South Australian Parliaments.  Readers of this blog may consider passing on the details of this site to your own Member(s) of those Parliaments. Or contact the relevant State/Federal Minister – see ‘USEFUL CONTACTS’ on this site).
    IN BHP’s VIDEO PRESENTATION THERE IS NOT A SINGLE REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT OLYMPIC DAM WILL TAKE UP TO 42 MILLION LITRES OF WATER A DAY FROM THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN EVERY DAY FOR THE LIFE OF THE EXPANDED MINE (MORE THAN 40 YEARS). http://www.savethebasin.com/

June 11, 2011 Posted by | South Australia, uranium, water | , | Leave a comment