A sad day for Aborigines, as BHP wins court case, and will seek costs from Aboriginal elder.
Elder loses court fight over outback mining plan, ABC News, April 20, 2012 The Federal Court has dismissed an application by an Aboriginal elder to overturn a proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium and copper
mine in outback South Australia. Kevin Buzzacott challenged the Federal Government’s approval for the
expansion, which was granted last year.
He argued environmental risks from the planned expansion of underground mining to an open pit operation had not been properly considered. But Justice Anthony Besanko dismissed the application.
Mine owner BHP Billiton is seeking court costs from Mr Buzzacott. Outside court, he said he was disappointed with the result. “We were expecting something like that to happen,” he said. “I guess it’s another sad day for the people of South Australia and especially my people as well.”….. The mining company’s board is due to make a final decision later in the year on whether to proceed with the expansion.
BHP spokesman Kym Winter-Dewhirst says the company was always confident the court would rule in its favour. ….
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-20/federal-court-elder-challenge-bhp-mine-expansion/3963312
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