South Australian government rolled over for BHP, but Olympic Dam uranium mine still uneconomic
High costs stall Olympic Dam BY: SARAH MARTIN, SA POLITICAL REPORTER : The Australian November 14, 2012 BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers says the Olympic Dam mine will not be expanded until the high-cost environment in Australia improves, with the resources industry overheated by too much demand.
The South Australian Labor government yesterday granted the miner an extension until October 2016 to its existing indenture agreement for the shelved mine expansion, in line with the project’s environmental approvals….. subscription only http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/high-costs-stall-olympic-dam/story-e6frg9df-1226516169013
BHP Billiton should have a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for controversial heap leach uranium mining
“No approval is sought to implement these initiatives at this stage” [original EIS] ”
“He has given environmental approval for one type of mining process, and has now said he will allow that approval to stand for a completely different processing technique using a novel technology that has yet to be invented, without any further assessment”. “It is simply outrageous that BHP Billiton is not being asked to seek further approvals for this completely different mining method. “
The Greens will move today to disallow the extension of the Olympic Dam Indenture approval until October 2016.
New Roxby method needs a new Roxby EIS Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell has questioned whether Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis has the capacity to do his job, and has demanded a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assessment of the proposed brand new processing option of ‘acid heap leaching’ at Olympic Dam be conducted before the project is allowed to commence.
The call comes in response to Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis’s false claims on ABC 891 radio this morning that it was always BHP Billiton’s intention to shift to the ‘heap leaching’ process and this had been covered in the EIS:
(David Bevan: But if they’re looking at a new technology, a new way of doing this, won’t you need a new Environmental Impact Statement?) Koutsantonis: Well, no, because BHP has foreseen that in the next, you know, five to six to seven years they may have been switching to this technique. (Abraham: Was that covered by the Environmental Impact Statement?) It was, yes.
Yet in over 7,000 pages of the original EIS, the Supplementary EIS and the Government’s response to the EIS, the only mention of heap leaching is:
The feasibility of heap leaching of the lower-grade ore at Olympic Dam is under investigation. At this early stage, recoveries of copper and uranium from heap leaching appear too low, but this option continues to be investigated. Continue reading
South Australian government jumps to obey BHP? Greens will oppose extension of Olympic Dam Expansion Indenture Agreement.
BHP: Jump! SA Govt: How High? …..for 4 more years 13 Nov 12 The Greens will move in Parliament to stop any extension of the Olympic Dam Expansion Indenture Agreement.
The Weatherill Government has agreed to an extension of the starting date for the project in the controversial contract until October 2016.
“The Indenture was a dud deal for South Australia when we debated this in Parliament last year, and will still be a dud deal in 4 years’ time,” said Greens Parliamentary Leader Mark Parnell.
“Instead of again meekly accepting whatever the world’s richest resource company wants, the Government should seize the opportunity to start renegotiating terms to expand local procurement, increase royalty returns and improve environmental outcomes.
“The project appears years away. Yet, the Government has recklessly locked in last century environmental outcomes decades into the future.
“BHP Billiton appears to be moving further and further away from job-rich local processing, and yet has still managed to lock in a feeble ‘production based’ royalty rate for 45 years.
“Surely it would be better to finalise the Olympic Dam Expansion contract with BHP Billiton when the project is actually guaranteed to begin?
“That will ensure royalty rates, local processing and procurement targets and environmental conditions are based on the expectations, rules and operating conditions of the day, not locked in years ahead,” he said.
Asbestos and cancer – uranium will be next, says powerful Electrical Trades Union
“‘Uranium will be the next asbestos. All those years ago they said it was safe to work with asbestos. Then years later the companies didn’t want to know about it when workers started dying from diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer,”
ETU in uranium mining no-go Townsville Bulletin, JOHN ANDERSEN | November 10th, 2012 UNION bosses have instructed the 12,800 financial members of the Electrical Trades Union in Queensland not to work in any start-up
uranium mines in the state.
The ETU directive against members taking jobs in uranium mines has been in place since 2010, but with no uranium industry in the state it has lain dormant for the past two years. Continue reading
Protest rally: New South Wales Labor Party opposes uranium mining
“NSW Labor will stay true to what its position has always been, and that is no exploration or mining in NSW”
NSW uranium exploring immoral: opposition http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-uranium-exploring-immoral-opposition/story-e6frf7kf-1226515943188 THE “immoral” decision to allow companies to express interest in exploring for uranium in NSW is simply testing the waters for a uranium mining industry, NSW deputy opposition leader Linda Burney says.
About 100 protesters gathered outside parliament in Sydney on Tuesday to mark the end of the government’s initial 60-day period for expressions of interest in uranium exploration. The protesters are highlighting the dangers of uranium mining, use and waste. Continue reading
Small but courageous bare protest against US military base in Perth.
NO MORE WARS – CHEEKY PRESENCE AT SAS BARRACKS, SWANBOURNE 13th November This morning a group of women bared all outside Swanbourne Barracks, headquarters of the SAS, to deliver a peaceful message in advance of the visit of Leon Panetta, United States Secretary for Defence.
The un-named women, bearing the letters of NO MORE WARS across their buttocks, are concerned at the military build-up which will be subject of AUSMIN discussions over the next two days between the United States and Australian governments, taking place in Perth.
“We know that Leon Panetta is scheduled to visit the SAS headquarters at Campbell Barracks, so we wanted to get in ahead of security forces, to let him, his Government, our Government and the public know that there are hundreds of thousands of Australians who do not want our country further embroiled in wars of the United States’ choosing.
“We do not want an “upgrade” of Stirling Naval Base to suit U.S. Navy requirements, meaning more warship visits, some of which carry nuclear weapons and are powered by nuclear reactors.
“We do not want further “interoperability” which suits the United States war-fighting plans, but not necessarily the requirements for the defence of Australia.
“We do not want to see U.S. marines on Australian soil, nor further military exercises which are damaging to our environment.
“What’s happened to Australian sovereignty? Gone missing in action, while U.S. forces get the nod.
“Not in our name,” the women concluded.
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For further information, contact Kerrie Ann: 0401 909 332
It turns out that 50,000 Australians are not wrong about climate chnage
A disproportionate amount of media airtime given to climate sceptics may lead some people to overestimate the prevalence of that view
powerful interests promoted the voices of climate sceptics.
Climate change deniers are rarer than we think http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/climate-change-deniers-are-rarer-than-we-think-46206 By Sunanda Creagh 13 November 2012 The Conversation Australians grossly overestimate the proportion of people who deny that climate change is happening, a CSIRO study has found.
The study, published today in the journal Nature Climate Change, surveyed over 5000 Australians over two years. Continue reading
New ultrafast transmission technology is a boon for renewable energy
Capable of carrying electricity over long distances much more efficiently than alternating current (AC), HVDC transmission is seen as a way of transporting renewable energy from remote utility-scale locations — such as desert solar power facilities and offshore wind farms — to consumption centers at much lower cost than existing transmission infrastructure.
Big boost for renewable energy: ABB’s game changing hybrid, REneweconomy, By Cleantechnica 12 November 2012 Solving a problem that has handicapped use of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) in transmission lines, networks, and power grids for more than 100 years, multinational power engineering giant ABB has announced that it has designed and developed a hybrid DC breaker capable of interrupting DC power flows “equivalent to the output of a nuclear power station within five milliseconds… as fast as a honeybee takes per flap of its wings.”
The hybrid DC breaker combines “advanced ultrafast mechanical actuators with ABB’s in-house semiconductor IGBT valve technologies or power electronics.” ABB management deems it a “game changer.” Continue reading
Ultraviolet radiation – skin cancer a greater danger than insufficient Vitamin D
Monday’s medical myth: we’re not getting enough sun heconversation.edu.au/mondays-medical-myth-were-not-getting-enough-sun-10205 12 November 2012 Myths abound about UV radiation and its effect on our health. We hear that sun-protection has triggered an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency; being tanned protects you from sunburn; a tan looks healthy; and “old” skin doesn’t need to be protected from the sun like “young” skin does.
Myth, myth, myth, myth.
What is beyond doubt is that Australia is the world’s skin cancer capital , yet skin cancer is the most preventable of all common cancer types. Continue reading
Still hope for Mallee solar energy, despite federal funds not available
“But we do have another solar power station under way with Silex Systems, as well as a number of other companies who have shown interest,”
Lights fade: $700m Mallee solar park misses out on federal funding
http://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/story/962578/lights-fade-700m-mallee-solar-park-misses-out-on-federal-funding/?cs=1259 By Allan Murphy Nov. 13, 2012 PLANS for a $700 million Mallee solar park, described as one of the largest solar power station projects in the world, may be scuttled after the proposal again failed to attract federal funding.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) yesterday said it would not pursue the EnergyAust-ralia (formerly TRUenergy) project despite an available funding increase of half a billion dollars.
The agency said it was forced to make “tough decisions” to increase renewable energy uptake in regional and remote Australia. Member for Mildura Peter Crisp last month said he was “genuinely worried” about EnergyAustralia’s bid to establish the Mallee Solar Park south of Mildura, despite the State Government committing $100 million towards
the proposal. Continue reading
Origin Energy’s push for gas, against renewabl eenergy
Origin Energy under scrutiny over anti-renewables stance (includes video) Indymedia 13 Nov 2012 By takver Origin Energy, Australia’s largest energy retailer, came under intense scrutiny today from shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in Sydney over it’s energy portfolio placing great emphasis on development of gas, poor investment in wind and solar power, and a campaign by Managing Director Grant King to destabilise the Renewable Energy Target.
At one stage a banner was quickly unfurled infront of the board on the stage which said “Origin: Build wind and solar, not coal and gas”. Continue reading
India secretly diverted Canadian uranium to nuclear weapons
Harper in India: bad timing, bad mood Macleans, by Erica Alini , November 7, 2012″…….. there were three key deals on the table when Harper left for India on Saturday night:
1. A few administrative arrangements needed to be worked out in order for Canada to start shipping uranium and nuclear technologies to India after the two countries signed a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement in 2010. The crux of the matter here was that, after India surreptitiously diverted uranium produced at a Canadian plant to its first nuclear bomb in 1974, Ottawa wanted to be able to closely monitor the stuff this time around. India’s position, on the other hand, was that they report to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that should be enough to keep us satisfied. Those differences have now been overcome, the Harper government announced on Tuesday . According to Reuters, we’ve beat Australia to this —they are still looking for assurances on nuclear safeguards—but it’s not clear yet whether Ottawa has had to make significant concessions to get the Indians on board…… http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/11/07/harper-in-india-this-is-the-trip-that-was/
Is the Australian government manipulating Aboriginal Northern Land Council on nuclear waste dump plans?
Government got it wrong on Muckaty, commission needed to reach radioactive waste solution 07 Nov 2012 | Scott Ludlam The Greens have called on the Federal Government to come clean on whether it is behind moves by the Northern Land Council to nominate a new site on Muckaty station for a Radioactive Waste Dump.
“The Government is clearly terrified it may lose a Federal Court action launched by Traditional Owners of the area. Remarkably, just when the Commonwealth’s desperate proposal finally comes apart at the seams, NT Chief Minister Terry Mills has surrendered and now claims to support the dump. Chief Minister Mills has met with Minister Martin Ferguson – cutting a deal in Canberra to the exclusion of the local community.
“In March 2012 the Greens moved amendments for an independent commission on radioactive waste but hit a wall of opposition from the Labor Party and the Coalition.
“This Commission would apply world’s best practice to responsibly deal with Australia’s radioactive waste inventory, which may have to involve a more sophisticated management regime than dumping the waste containers in a shed on a cattle station.
“This latest move for an alternate site replicates the same tactics that sparked the Muckaty debacle in the first place. It is time to change the strategy. We need an approach that is democratic, fair, and scientifically sound.”
Obama – Gillard attitudes on climate change – not a good omen for Tony Abbott
The same vested interests who tried their darndest to kill carbon pricing here will try and kill it in the US.
Could this be a global game-changer in 2013, validating Australia’s early action?
The vibes from America are bad for Abbott The Age, November 12, 2012 Katharine Murphy “…… Australian politics watched the US race closely, as politics does. It would be silly to draw too many conclusions and export the precise conditions of the US to here – but it’s not silly to see election season in America as a harbinger for our own contest in 2013.
Australian politics is manifesting the same broad issues: the forwards/backwards construction that’s an oldie but a goodie when progressives and conservatives vie for government……
Climate change is one issue that could get interesting between now and the Australian federal election in 2013.
Obama keeps bringing it up. There’s speculation carbon pricing is back on the agenda in the US, either as a revenue raising measure (and God knows they need revenue), or as an Obamacare ”vision thing” equivalent to rally the progressive base….. Continue reading
USA- Australia co-operation on climate change action
Australia’s Minister for Climate Change, Greg Combet, told the Carbon Expo conference in Melbourne on Friday that he was ”very pleased” with Mr Obama’s victory, and said he held already spoken on the issue with his US counterpart since the elections.
The minister has also been discussing the prospects of linking Australia’s planned market for greenhouse gas emissions with California. The biggest US state will auction its first pollution permits this week with the emissions trading scheme (ETS) to start on January 1.
Obama keen to tackle climate, The Age, November 12, 2012, Peter Hannam THE Australian government has wasted little time to sound out the newly re-elected Barack Obama over his administration’s climate change policies and the potential to work more closely together.
An issue excluded from the US presidential debates, the argument over global warming was revived when superstorm Sandy slammed into north-eastern US states a week before polling day, leaving a damage bill some expect to exceed $US50 billion ($A48 billion).
Mr Obama signalled his intention to tackle climate change in his second term during his acceptance speech in Chicago, where he underlined the issue as among his top priorities.
”We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt; that isn’t weakened by inequality; that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet,” he said. Continue reading
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