Antinuclear

Australia’s uranium mining: continued record of racism

Uranium mining  Socialist Party Australia 17 June 11 Rural Indigenous populations have long been victims of the nuclear industry. The Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory has been in operation since 1981. During the ‘negotiating process’ the Mirarr Traditional Owners were told their opposition “shall not be allowed to prevail”.

Ranger is located in an excised area amongst Kakadu’s extensive wetlands. In the 1998-99 wet season, high uranium concentrations was found in water discharged into the Coonjimba and Magela Creeks. Contaminated water was released into the creeks for three subsequent seasons before the problem was addressed. In 2004, 150 workers were exposed to drinking water containing uranium levels 400 times greater than the Australian safety standard.

The Beverly Uranium Mine in South Australia has also caused havoc on the local population. It is an acid in-situ leach mine, where the liquid radioactive waste — containing radioactive particles, heavy metals and acid — is simply dumped into the groundwater, causing untold ecological damage.

Local Indigenous campaigner Mr Artie Wilton said “The Beverley Mine must be stopped, dead stopped. We protest at the treatment of our people being forced into an unfair process of negotiation. We protest because our land is being damaged against our wishes. We protest because Native Title legislation is not helping our country. We protest because the State Government and the Mining Industry refuse to listen to our concerns. We protest because it is our right and our responsibility to look after this country.” One of the peaceful protests he was referencing brutally ended, with an 11 year old girl being pepper sprayed by police.

In 1997-2002 a push by the federal government and mining industry to build the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Northern Territory (also on traditional Mirarr land) was defeated by a determined mass movement. However, the Jabiluka deposit is large and lucrative and the mining industry will continue to exert pressure for mining to commence.

http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/3006

June 18, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL