Antinuclear

Australia’s Environment Minister approved huge uranium mine before environment assessment plans even prepared

Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott challenges decision to expand Olympic Dam Adelaide Now  AAP April 03, 2012 WASTE from the expanded Olympic Dam mine will remain radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years and
the risks weren’t properly considered by the Federal Government, the Federal Court has heard.

Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott is challenging the government’s approval of the uranium and copper project in South Australia, which is destined to become the world’s largest open cut mine.

He argues the approval by Environment Minister Tony Burke last year was too uncertain because much of the environmental assessment has been left up to plans and studies that are yet to be prepared or considered.

Mr Buzzacott also says the minister failed to consider the
environmental impacts associated with the export of uranium and the
risks from the storage of radioactive tailings above ground.

At the start of the two-day hearing, counsel for the elder from the
Arabunna people told the court that mining giant BHP Billiton intended
to deal with the tailings dump by covering it with a layer of rock.
Geoffrey Kennett SC said in its closure plan the company was only
asked to consider the risks the dump might pose over the next 10,000
years despite the fact that the waste would remain radioactive for
much longer. Mr Kennett said in his approval for the mine Mr Burke had
determined that the radiation risks could be acceptably managed.

But he said that was “fine and understandable” while Roxby Downs
remained the nearest settlement and as long as earthquakes or erosion
did not compromise the covering of the waste dump……
Mr Buzzacott  said he had decided to challenge the approval because he
wanted to understand how it was granted given all the uncertainties
over the proposed expansion.

“I feel like a tiny voice in this issue because BHP Billiton is so
powerful,” Mr Buzzacott said.

“But my role is to protect the old country.”….
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/aboriginal-elder-kevin-buzzacott-challenges-decision-to-expand-olympic-dam/story-e6frea83-1226317758232

April 4, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, legal