BHPB not publicly discussing Olympic Dam’s radioactive dust danger
FILMMAKER DAVID BRADBURY: RED DUST DUMP ORIGINATING AT WOOMERA IS GRAVE CONCERN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
September 25, 2009 by Coober Pedy Regional Times“…….70 million tonnes of radioactive tailings to be dumped at the Roxby mine site each year without evidence of dust control is cause for concern”, says David Bradbury.. Continue reading
Australian Liberal MP opposes nuclear plant
MP warns against Port Stephens nuclear plant
ABC Newcastle News 26 Sept 09 The state Liberal Member for Port Stephens, Craig Baumann, says he is not against nuclear energy, but will not tolerate a power plant being built in his electorate.
Yesterday, Acting Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said nuclear energy needs to be considered as a way to address climate change.Three years ago Mr Baumann strongly criticised an Australia Institute report that named Port Stephens as an ideal site for a nuclear power station.He says such a plant would ruin the area.
ABC Newcastle NSW – MP warns against Port Stephens nuclear plant
Dust to be analysed for radioactivity
Are the dust storms radioactive? Australian scientists study Aussie dust from New Zealand * Daily Telegraph By Greg Roberts and AFP September 26, 2009
- Second dust storm ‘on the way’
- Fears mine dust is radioactive
A TEAM of Australian scientists are analysing the dust that has engulfed eastern Australia this week to see whether it is dangerous.
The dust storm is believed to have originated around Woomera in outback South Australia near the massive Olympic Dam uranium mine, prompting fears it was radioactive and dangerous…
………The scientists were analysing dust that had been blown 2150km to New Zealand and “fingerprinting” it, and its minerals, to find out where it came from and if it was a threat to the Coral Sea and agriculture…………
Academy Award nominated documentary maker David Bradbury, who has made films about nuclear power, warned about the risks from radioactive dust near the Olympic mine yesterday.
Online Solar and Energy Efficiency Forum for Scientists and Community
Energy Matters Launches Australian Solar Power Online Forums
Melbourne, Victoria, September 25, 2009. Energy Matters, a national provider of solar power solutions for home, business and community groups has launched an online community to cater to supporters of solar power and other forms of renewable energy in Australia. Continue reading
BHP Billiton’s chief gets 51pc pay rise
Billiton chief Marius Kloppers enjoys 51pc pay rise BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers enjoyed a 51pc pay rise this year to more than $10m (£6m), despite a 51pc fall in BHP pre-tax profits. Continue reading
Nuclear disarmament a tougher task than global financial crisis
Multilateralism has its limitations
September 25, 2009 Disarmament poses a stern test for international forums Continue reading
Olympic Dam will cause radioactive dust risk to Eastern Australia
Radioactive dust storm threat’ if mine goes ahead
ABC News 24 Sept 09 An Academy Award-nominated documentary maker claims the red dust dumped onto east coast cities yesterday is a reason to be concerned about BHP Billiton’s proposal to turn South Australia’s Olympic Dam uranium mine into an open-cut mine.David Bradbury has made four documentaries on the nuclear issue and says figures in the company’s environmental impact study suggest that 70 million tonnes of radioactive tailings will be dumped at the minesite each year.
He says these tailings contain alpha radiation, which is known to be carcenogenic to humans and animals.
“My grave concern is that with the open-cut mine expansion that BHP Billiton wants permission from state and federal governments to go ahead with, that the radioactive tailings left behind will blow over the eastern coast centres of the most populated cities of Australia,” he said
‘Radioactive dust storm threat’ if mine goes ahead – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
More dust storms predicted, may carry radiation
Dust storm born out of flooding rains
ABC Science 23 September 2009 Darren Osborne
“………………..with climate change set to bring more variability, Australia may experience more large scale dust storms in the future. Continue reading
BHP is advised, but not COMPELLED to consult aborigines
Aboriginal ecology to be included in assessments
Amanda O’Brien | September 24, 2009 . The Australian
ABORIGINES are claiming a landmark victory after the West Australian government told BHP Billiton to incorporate their ecological knowledge into future land clearing at its giant Yeelirrie uranium prospect. Continue reading
Ziggy Switkowski wants 50 nuclear power plants in Australia
Upping the ante on nuke power
Business Spectator, by Keith Orchsison 22 Sept 09
One of the great quotes from Ziggy Switkowski is that it is never hard to figure out where things are moving; it’s just hard to figure out the timing.Switkowski, chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and the head of John Howard’s review of nuclear energy earlier this decade, is quietly increasing his forecast of how many uranium-fuelled power stations will be operating in this country by the middle of the century. Continue reading
Aborigines challenge mining registrar for equal treatment
Indigenous people power challenges mining might
Eureka Street Moira Rayner September 22, 2009A mining registrar in Western Australia has a hard decision to make. The Martu Idja Banjima Native Title claimants — the Martidja Manyjima people of the Pilbara — want him to hear their challenge to BHP Billiton’s claim for more mining leases on 200 square kilometres of their traditional land. BHP Billiton doesn’t. Continue reading
Australian National University quietly working with ANSTO on nuclear reaearch
New agreement for nuclear research
Sky News September 21, 2009
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and The Australian National University (ANU) will join forces to further research into nuclear science.Science Minister Kim Carr will launch the national research partnership in Canberra on Tuesday.
The new agreement will see the two organisations collaborate on research into future energy sources and nuclear non-proliferation as well as share the use of testing facilities like particle accelerators.
Uranium mining abuses Great Artesian Basin
‘Corporate abuse’ hits Great Artesian Basin
The Australian. Michael Owen, SA political reporter | September 21, 2009
THE Great Artesian Basin — one of the largest underground water reservoirs in the world — is in danger of going the same way as the ailing Murray-Darling Basin because of reckless corporate abuse, aided by political ignorance, says South Australian senator Nick Xenophon. Continue reading
Australian uranium company slack on safety in Africa
Miner accused on slack safety
The Age TOM HYLAND S eptember 20, 2009 AN AUSTRALIAN company has begun production at its uranium mine in Malawi amid renewed controversy over the operation in one of Africa’s poorest nations. Continue reading
Australia’s plan to resolve climate issue
Australia moves to resolve climate issue
9 News Sep 21 200 A proposal to resolve thorny climate change issues dividing developed and developing nations is being proposed by Australia in the lead up to the Copenhagen summit in December.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong will reveal that Australia has been working on a proposed legal structure that could appease developing nations unwilling or unable to commit to economy-wide targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The issue has been a key point of difference, and a sensitive one, in addition to talks on just how much richer nations should pay to help poorer nations adjust to the huge changes required to reduce carbon pollution.
In a speech to the New York University School of Law on Monday (NY time), Senator Wong will tell students the proposed structure would allow nations to choose how they’ll reduce emissions instead of imposing a set of economy-wide targets that must be met by all countries………….Nations would be able to choose from a series of legally-binding schedules that could include renewable energy targets, a technology standard or a target to reduce deforestation, submitting a schedule before December……………..
“Developed countries would be expected to record an ambitious economy-wide emissions reduction target.
“For developing countries, taking on international mitigation obligations for the first time is a big deal – but the flexibilities in schedules are designed to give them greater comfort.”
For example, Australia’s national schedule would include an economy-wide target to reduce emissions by up to 25 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020, the legislated carbon pollution reduction scheme and the renewable energy target.
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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