Antinuclear

Public Health Association concerned about health dangers of planned Ranger uranium mine expansion

Proposed Ranger 3 Deeps expansion too risky says PHAA , 7 April 14, The Northern Territory Branch of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA NT) is today launching its submission to the Social Impact Assessment process for the proposed ‘Ranger 3 Deeps’ (R3D) underground expansion at the Ranger uranium mine.  This comes ahead of a public forum about the future of Ranger in Darwin titled “Reconsidering Ranger”.

The PHAA NT submission focusses on the health and safety impacts for the local population, mine workers and the environment as well as the impacts the exported uranium is having overseas.

“There have been over 200 significant safety incidents at Ranger in its 30 years of operation, including the December 2013 spillage of more than 1 million litres of radioactive and acidic slurry from a storage tank,” said Dr Michael Fonda, PHAA NT Branch Secretary.

“It is of great concern that Energy Resources Australia intends to use the same ageing processing equipment for its proposed R3D expansion,” Dr Fonda said.

PHAA NT is concerned about the health impacts underground mine workers will face from radon exposure.

“Radon inhalation is a particularly dangerous form of radiation exposure and PHAA NT wants reassurances that the R3D design would meet world’s best practice standards.  Evidence has emerged linking Ranger to adverse impacts on the surrounding population and environment,” said Dr Fonda.

A 2006 Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies report investigating cancer rates in the local population found that the number of actual cases of cancer was 90% higher than expected.

“The research findings to date are very alarming.  We believe it is unsafe and unethical to approve this underground expansion before further studies into the health effects in the region have been carried out,” he added.

In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima reactor disaster, which was fuelled in part by Australian uranium, the United Nations called for an urgent review into the health and environmental impacts of uranium mining in Australia.  “This review still has not been initiated by the Australian Government.  We believe Australia needs an inquiry into its entire nuclear industry before proceeding with any further expansions and PHAA have repeatedly called for this,” Dr Fonda said.

Dr Fonda will be talking about these issues along with other speakers at the “Reconsidering Ranger” public forum being held at the Hilton Hotel in Darwin on Tuesday 8 April 2014.  Entry is free and doors open at 6:30pm.

For further information/comment:

Dr Michael Fonda, NT Branch Secretary, Public Health Association of Australia                                                     0429 435 595

 This media release – and the related submission – will be available on the PHAA website at: www.phaa.net.au

April 7, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | history, Northern Territory