Marathon uranium project closed – unviable due to poor uranium market
Explorer says uranium project unviable Yahoo 7 Finance 21 Nov 13, Minerals exploration company Marathon Resources has turned its back on the uranium industry for good. The company says its experience suggests the “risks were more likely to exceed rewards” in a sector hit by low ore prices.
“Both the political and regulatory regimes have deterred us permanently from the uranium industry,” chairman Peter Williams told the company’s annual meeting in Adelaide on Thursday. Marathon previously has been involved in exploring a section of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges with a view to developing a significant uranium deposit.
However, it fell foul of the South Australian government over the disposal of waste while the government eventually moved to ban all mining in the environmentally-sensitive area anyway.
Since then, the uranium industry has been hit by falling commodity prices which also has prompted mining giant BHP Billiton to mothball its plans for a $30 billion expansion of its Olympic Dam copper and gold operations…… industry is presently witnessing that part of the cycle where the spot price for product has fallen dramatically below production costs sufficient to amortise large capital costs,” he said…….. http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/explorer-says-uranium-project-unviable-032809245.html
Submissions called for on uranium mining proposal for Western Australia’s East Pilbara.
Feedback sought on proposed Pilbara uranium mine ABC Rural By Lucie Bell 21 Nov 13 Canadian-based miner Cameco is inviting public comment on the Environmental Review and Management Programme for its proposed uranium project in Western Australia’s East Pilbara.
As part of the environmental assessment process for the Kintyre project, the document has beenmade available online. It addresses how Cameco would develop the project, which is located 60km south of Telfer on Martu traditional lands.
The Conservation Council of WA and Australian Conservation Foundation have launched an online campaign opposing the plan.The Council’s Mia Pepper says the organisation is concerned the project could adversely affect a diverse ecosystem. “It’s home to a number of priority species including the Bilby, Desert Skink, Marsupial Mole and a whole suite of other things including subterranean fauna.
“So all of those things are put at risk by the project both from land clearing and water consumption.”Also the long-term risks of having radio-active materials dug up and processed on site will put a lasting amount of pressure on the environment and biodiversity in that area.”……. Submissions can be made to the WA Environmental Protection Authority until February 14th 2014. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-21/kintyre-consultation/5106280
Australian delegation’s contemptuous attitude to UN climate talks the ‘last straw’ for developing nations
Developing nations blame Australia for loss and damage talks ‘walkout’ http://www.rtcc.org/2013/11/20/developing-nations-blame-australia-for-loss-and-damage-talks-walkout/ 21 November 2013, Delegation accused of wearing t-shirts and “gorging on snacks” during critical UN talks By Sophie Yeo in Warsaw Australia’s team at UN talks in Warsaw have been accused of lacking respect after delegates turned up to critical discussions wearing shorts and teeshirts.
The Australian delegation turned up in casual attire and “gorged on snacks” during negotiations on whether developed states should make reparations to vulnerable countries as the impacts of climate change become more severe, according to a spokesperson for CAN International.
Their behaviour caused over 130 developing nations to abandon discussions on the controversial issue of climate compensation at 4am last night. Continue reading
AUDIO: Australia a large contributor to the failure of Warsaw UN climate talks
AUDIO: Australia, Japan under fire at UN climate talks http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/australia-japan-under-fire-at-un-climate-talks/1223390 21 November 2013, Climate activists are hoping that environment ministers from around the world will be able to make some progress before this year’s United Nations climate talks in Warsaw draw to a close.
The ministerial phase wraps up the two week conference, with representatives hoping to narrow the differences between countries… as they work towards a signing a new pact on emissions cuts.
But a gulf has opened up between rich and poor countries, and delegates have hit out at decisions made by Australia and Japan.
Presenter: Bill Birtles “,………… One of the main issues is whether or not we get a new mechanism on loss and damage. Developing countries are asking for a new mechanism, developed countries want to talk about it under an existing mechanism’.
BIRTLES: Loss and damage is an issue that has split rich and developing countries. Rich countries, such as the US, Australia and Canada have sought to keep talks on loss and damage reparations off the agenda until after 2015. Saleemul Huq says their stance prompted a walk-out this week by developing nations.
HUQ: ‘The fear from the developed countries is that this is the path to being made liable for compensation which may or may not be the case but right now in Warsaw it’s not about compensation. It’s about having a mechanism to allow these discussions to continue in the future’………
BIRTLES: And Suleemul Huq says its not just Japan disappointing delegates. He says Australia’s decision not to send a Minister and the Abbott government’s plan to scrap the carbon tax has also dampened the mood.
HIRATE: ‘The mood is quite bad. Australia and Japan have set us back with their own domestic problems and announcements about reneging on their commitments, so that has set us back here’.
Authorities hush up the reports on effects of depleted uranium
A factor rarely mentioned is the potential effects of DU on children yet to be born to U.S. Iraq war veterans, who served in places like Fallujah, Basra and Najaf.
HORRIFIC EFFECTS OF DEPLETED URANIUM STILL CENSORED BY U.S. MILITARY, MEDIA HTTPS://AMERICANFREEPRESS.NET/?P=13599 NOVEMBER 03, 2013 BY RICHARD WALKER In a move seen by medical experts worldwide as an effort to suppress the truth about the horrors of depleted uranium (DU) munitions, the United Nations (UN) health arm, the World Health Organization (WHO), along with the Ministry of Health of Iraq (MoH) on September 13, 2013, produced a report that was not even authored, meaning no experts attached their names to it, on birth defects among Iraqi babies in which DU was not even considered a factor.
The report was published on the WHO website at a time when birth defects among Iraqi babies have been rising steadily, especially in areas like Najaf and Fallujah, where DU shells were used indiscriminately, killing and injuring large numbers of civilians. Some estimates for the 2003 death toll in Iraq put the civilian casualties in Fallujah as high as 75% to 80%. Continue reading
Will BHP Billiton pursue Aboriginal activist Kevin Buzzacott for legal costs?
Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott gets no answer from BHP AGM BHP Billiton would neither confirm nor deny that it plans to pursue a South Australian Aboriginal elder for court costs.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-21/aboriginal-elders-asks-bhp-to-drop-costs/5107622 ABC Rural Babs McHugh Kevin Buzzacott of the Arabunna people was ordered by the Federal Court to pay costs to the SA and Federal Governments and BHP after a failed appeal over the expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium, copper and gold mine.
Mr Buzzacott argued the proposed expansion, which has since been shelved, was approved without proper consideration of the long term environmental impact. But three judges ruled that lawyers for Mr Buzzacott failed to make out the grounds for appeal and ordered him to pay court costs.
Sources close to the world’s largest mining company told the ABC it’s very unlikely the the miner would consider pursuing Mr Kevin Buzzacott for costs. They added that BHP Billiton doesn’t have a track record of pursuing individuals on this basis.
Australia a “rogue nation” on climate change – says Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands hits out at Australia and Japan over carbon target cuts http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-21/an-marshalls-climate-minister-lashes-out-at-australia-and-japan/5106838 21 Nov 2013, The Marshall Islands’ Climate Change Minister has lashed out at Australia and Japan for cutting their carbon reduction targets at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw. Tony de Brum says his country will be one of those that suffers the most from global warming and says Australia and Japan are setting a bad example.
The Australian delegation has already faced criticism from pressure groups for not taking the Warsaw negotiations seriously and attempting to derail the conference…….
Lack of leadership on climate change Australia’s plans to scrap the carbon price has won praise from the Canadian Government, but Mr de Brum has criticised Australia as a rogue nation.
“At a big conference like the UN you might expect one or two rogues to emerge, but never in our wildest dreams did we expect that those rogues might be our own big brother neighbours of Canada, Australia and Japan.” he said…..When the Pacific Rim is responsible for more than its share of world pollution it should be the Pacific countries that take the leadership vision in making sure the rest of the world follows.
“Instead we have Japan, Canada and Australia doing this number on us,” Mr de Brum says he has issued an open invitation to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to visit the Marshall Islands to see the impacts of climate change first-hand, but she has not yet set a date for the trip.
Biggest polluter BHP is Australian government’s advisor on carbon policy!!!
BHP in talks with government to help formulate carbon policy
BHP Billiton reveals it is working with Abbott government on the development of carbon policy, and praises Coalition’s ‘direct-action’ policy for protecting companies that compete in the international arena.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bhp-in-talks-with-government-to-help-formulate-carbon-policy-20131121-2xyqa.html
Almost two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources can be traced to 90 entities, including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, a peer-reviewed study has found.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/bhp-billiton-ranked-in-top-carbon-polluters-20131121-2xyqi.html
Poor countries give up on Warsaw climate talks; Australia not taking them seriously
Poor countries walk out of UN climate talks as compensation row rumbles on Bloc of 132 countries exit Warsaw conference after rich nations refuse to discuss climate change recompense until after 2015 John Vidal theguardian.com, Wednesday 20 November 2013 Representatives of most of the world’s poor countries have walked out of increasingly fractious climate negotiations after the EU, Australia, the US and other developed countries insisted that the question of who should pay compensation for extreme climate events be discussed only after 2015……..
Australia was accused of not taking the negotiations seriously. “They wore T-shirts and gorged on snacks throughout the negotiation. That gives some indication of the manner they are behaving in,” said a spokeswoman for Climate Action Network……http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/nov/20/climate-talks-walk-out-compensation-un-warsaw
800 people from NGOs walk out of Warsaw UN Climate talks in disgust
Hundreds Stage A Walkout At The U.N. Climate Talks In Warsaw: “Enough Is Enough” CLIMATE PROGRESS BY KATIE VALENTINE ON NOVEMBER 21, 2013 ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS STAGED A WALKOUT AT THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE TALKS IN WARSAW, POLAND THURSDAY, A VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROCESS THAT THEY SAY IS DUE TO THE LACK OF PROGRESS AT THE TALKS.
About 800 people from organizations including Greenpeace International, World Wildlife Fund, Oxfam,350.org and Friends of the Earth walked out of the conference Thursday, but made it clear that they were not walking out of the UNFCCC talks — which are held yearly, as a whole — just this year’s conference in Warsaw. Continue reading
Australian Labor votes with Liberals against an amendment for action on climate change
Labor just voted with the Coalition to defeat Adam Bandt’s amendment to the Clean Energy Act repeal bills currently in the Parliament That all words after “House” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
(1) “rejects this bill and the related bills and recognises that global warming is an enormous threat to the Australian way of life and is getting worse; and
(2) calls on the government to take stronger action to protect the Australian people from climate change.”
Air conditioning costs becoming unaffordable for many Australians
Australians Sweating On Air-Conditioning Electricity Costs 20 November, 2013: Despite the majority of Australian households now owning an air conditioner, solar energy advocate Nick Brass of Energy Matters warns many people will swelter in their furnace-like homes this summer rather than switch on the cool. The reason – electricity sourced from the mains grid has simply become an unaffordable luxury. http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4033
“Electricity prices have risen by a whopping 72% in real terms since 2004[1] and the rise of air conditioners is partly to blame,” commented Mr Brass. “There will be 750,000 more air-con units installed this year alone, bringing the total number of household units to over 9.2 million[2].
“For many people, powering their air conditioner has become unaffordable due to the high cost of electricity. Ironically, it’s because of air conditioners that electricity prices have spiralled out of control. Continue reading
It turns out that W.A.’s ‘Poles and Wires’ (not renewable energy) are the culprit in high electricity costs
The news is cold comfort to those who have been fighting myths and misinformation for years regarding the true villains of electricity price rises and extolling the benefits of clean, distributed energy generation – including a reduction in infrastructure spending. Sadly, it appears the message still may not be getting through to some.
$1 Billion Power Pole Price Blowout For Western Australia http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4039 21 Nov 13 ‘Poles and wires’ have been the major culprits behind electricity price increases in recent years – and there’s more bad news on this front for Western Australia. Western Power’s 5 year maintenance plan for its wood pole network may have originally been just a little optimistic on the expense and time side of things. It was initially estimated to cost $1.35 billion. Continue reading
Australia’s flag not representative of Australia today
Australia’s flag represents neither the nation’s past nor its present Paul Daley 21 November The Guardian, All right, jack? Hardly – it’s time for serious debate about Australia’s national symbol, separate from talk of a republic “…….., rid us of that awful colonial symbolism and give us a flag that really represents who we are today, not who we were in 1901.
Who we were?………. there was a terrible flaw in our nationhood that reverberates still: it was Australia for the White Man…… The worst colonial frontier violence against Indigenous people happened under the union jack, of course, flown by colonial military units and police forces. That’s a good enough reason alone to remove it from our own national flag, the blue ensign, with its southern cross and federation star…..
Of the current flag, Blaxland says: “As Jerry Seinfeld says, it is ‘the British flag on a starry night’. The dominant top left quadrant belongs to the flag of another nation, making Australia symbolically subordinate to Britain. This is an anachronism.”
He points out that changing the flag to remove the union jack is not intrinsically linked to republicanism. He cites the example of Canada, which changed its flag in 1965, ditching the red ensign with its union jack for the maple leaf. Canada remains, like Australia, a constitutional monarchy……http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/21/australias-flag-represents-neither-the-nations-past-nor-its-present
Peace address – John F Kennedy, June 1963
Commencement Address at American University, June 10, 1963 http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/BWC7I4C9QUmLG9J6I8oy8w.aspx
First: Let us examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many think it unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable–that mankind is doomed–that we are gripped by forces we cannot control.We need not accept that view. Our problems are manmade–therefore, they can be solved by man……….
Meanwhile, we seek to strengthen the United Nations, to help solve its financial problems, to make it a more effective instrument for peace, to develop it into a genuine world security system–a system capable of resolving disputes on the basis of law, of insuring the security of the large and the small, and of creating conditions under which arms can finally be abolished. …….”
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 