Antinuclear

Resources scientist questions management of tailings and water for Wiluna uranium project

 Dr Mudd also highlighted the use and contamination of ground water
sources in the area as a key issue, saying there have been issues at
other uranium mines across Australia and it remains unclear where
water for this site will come from or what techniques will be used to
source it

Monash mining expert examines Wiluna uranium proposal
Science Network, 23 December 2012 AN AUSTRALIAN expert on mining
sustainability has highlighted some of the key environmental aspects
for West Australia, as the state moves closer to its first uranium
mine.

Resources company Toro Energy recently received state government
environmental approval to develop WA’s first uranium mine near Wiluna,
with the company now seeking federal environmental approval.

Monash University mining expert Gavin Mudd says the primary issues
concern the management of tailings and waste rock, as well as water
use, contamination and other aspects local to the mine site.

“How the mine will manage tailings—it’s not clear how that will happen
effectively. There are some viable strategies in place, such as back
filling the pit with tailings as the process occurs,” he says. “But
there hasn’t been any clear, convincing information as to what the
chemistry would be, or the fact that it really will be stable for
10,000 years or more.

“Waste rock also is an important issue, as leaching off of waste rock
includes low grade uranium so any water that leaches has to be managed
and treated.

“At the Rum Jungle uranium mine for example, there has been massive
amounts of acid rock drainage that has leaked uranium and a range of
heavy metals and salts directly into nearby river systems.”…. Dr
Mudd also highlighted the use and contamination of ground water
sources in the area as a key issue, saying there have been issues at
other uranium mines across Australia and it remains unclear where
water for this site will come from or what techniques will be used to
source it….. http://www.sciencewa.net.au/topics/industry-a-resources/item/1881-monash-mining-expert-examines-wiluna-uranium-proposal.html

December 23, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, uranium, water, Western Australia