Antinuclear

Uncertain, unsafe and unwelcome: Kakadu underground uranium plan fails the nuclear test 

Energy Resources of Australia’s plan for a new underground mine at Ranger in Kakadu should not be allowed to proceed because ERA has failed to present key data in its environmental impact statement and the company lacks the capacity to fulfil its rehabilitation obligations at the site, environment groups said today.

As the uranium industry meets in Darwin for a Minerals Council promotion, national and NT environment groups have released a new examination of the economics and assumptions behind ERA’s proposal to construct the so called Ranger 3 Deeps project.

The analysis (attached) says R3D should not proceed due to:

• high levels of uncertainty and an absence of key project data in the EIS
• serious concerns about ERA’s commitment and capacity to meet its rehabilitation obligations at Ranger
• a poor commodity price and an unenthusiastic domestic and international market
• sustained stakeholder concerns and shrinking social license, and
• a short and fixed production ‘runway’ because mining and mineral processing must end at Ranger in January 2021.

“R3D is an ill-considered push by an increasingly embattled company, said ACF campaigner Dave Sweeney.

“Only a year ago ERA was front page news because of a massive spill at Ranger.

“Rather than dig itself into a deeper hole, ERA needs to focus on meeting its legal obligations to rehabilitate the Ranger lease.”

ERA’s parent company Rio Tinto has repeatedly refused to underwrite the cost of Ranger’s rehabilitation and has tried to distance itself from rehabilitation responsibilities.

“In the shadow of Fukushima, a continuing nuclear crisis directly fuelled by Australian uranium, there is scant community support for R3D,” said Lauren Mellor from the Environment Centre NT.

“Already more than 3000 people have formally called for an end to the plan; we will be increasing our efforts to stop this threat to the World Heritage listed Kakadu region.”

ERA’s draft EIS fails to provide any up-to-date costings on projected project income, capital expenditures, tax payment, annual operating costs and more.

The location of key pieces of project infrastructure is missing and the EIS cites ‘unknown factors’ as a result of the yet-to-be finalised pre-feasibility study, which is due for completion in 2015.

Environment groups have challenged the NT Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptance of the R3D application given the absence of key project data that is needed to make any considered assessment.

“Instead of advancing the R3D proposal it is now time for Commonwealth and NT regulators to make sure ERA meets its obligations for a measured closure and a comprehensive clean-up at Ranger,” Dave Sweeney said.

For context or comment:

Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation, on 0408 317 812

Lauren Mellor, Environment Centre NT, on 0413 534 125

December 6, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized