Antinuclear

Australian Uranium Association’s Paydirt Conference a Flop

 Always a big mutual admiration society “do”, the Australian Uranium Industry’s annual Paydirt Conference in Adelaide was a sad little affair this year.

It’s getting harder and harder for the uranium industry to jolly itself up, as the economic realities for the industry become more apparent. Touted as a “major” conference,  this one attracted only half as many delegates as in 2012.  The conference duration was shortened from 3 days to one. The venue was changed from the Hilton to the Intercontinental Hotel.

Press releases (as far as I could find) focused on excuses for why the Paydirt conference was such a lemon. “Mr Koutsantonis blamed the Fukushima disaster in Japan – and the global review of the industry – for the lack of attendance” – (Perth Now)

Nevertheless, uranium industry spruikers will spruik on.

So – during May, I think that I will just note the antidotes to the Australian Uranium Hype – by quoting salient bits from the just released YELLOWCAKE FEVER Exposing the Uranium Industry’s Economic Myths http://www.acfonline.org.au/resources/yellowcake-fever-exposing-uranium-industrys-economic-myths

For today’s example:

AUSTRALIA’S URANIUM EXPORT REVENUE IN PERSPECTIVE

In the 2011/12 financial year:

• uranium accounted for 0.19% of national export revenue;

• uranium revenue was 4.4 times lower than Australia’s 20th biggest export earner, wool;

• uranium revenue was 8.7 times lower than Australia’s 10th biggest export earner, aluminium; and

• uranium revenue was 103 times lower than the biggest earner, iron ore.

April 30, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews