Japanese nuclear expert gives Queensland a warning on uranium exporting, and nuclear waste
Top Japan nuke expert warns Qld on uranium http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19813899/top-japan-nuke-expert-warns-qld-on-uranium/ 7 News, MARTY SILK -November 13, 2013 Mining uranium is far more dangerous to human health than nuclear power, a top Japanese expert warns. Japan Atomic Energy Commission vice chairman Dr Tatsujiro Suzuki says Queensland’s government must be extremely careful if it allows mining to go ahead.
The state wants to begin assessing uranium mining applications from next year after lifting a longstanding ban.
But Dr Suzuki warns that countries must plan every aspect of uranium mining meticulously. “Mining actually poses larger risks than reactors, even when there are not accidents,” he told AAP at the Australia-Japan Dialogue in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“Uranium miners are regularly exposed, there’s high exposure in areas around mines and the potential for atmospheric contamination.
“You have to be very, very careful.”
Dr Suzuki says the key issue is how to safely store more than 1300 spent nuclear fuel rods. Japan is set to run out of nuclear waste storage capacity within six years and is looking to sign deals with uranium suppliers who are prepared to help it dispose of radioactive waste.
He added that an independent regulator should also ensure that Queensland uranium exports were only used for peaceful purposes.
Australia signed a deal to export uranium to India last year and Dr Suzuki said it couldn’t be certain that the uranium was only being used for civilian purposes.
India hasn’t signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and access to Australian uranium could help free up its domestic reserves for use in nuclear weapons.
Uranium industry wants special royalty discounts from Queensland government, despite its existing burdens on taxpayerite
Royalty discounts for uranium disputed http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/1901524/royalty-discounts-for-uranium-disputed/?cs=191 Nov. 11, 2013, URANIUM projects should receive royalty discounts, according to Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche. `Royalty relief should be something that’s offered not just in the Galilee Basin but around Queensland, and I mean it for coal and I mean it for minerals,” Mr Roche told ABC radio. “The concept has already been raised in relation to proposed uranium projects, for example.”
“The QRC are irresponsibly pitching to reap in larger uranium profits by paying less royalties at the expense of Queensland taxpayers if they are responsible economic managers.”
Mr Bailey called on the Newman government to reinstate the ban on uranium mining, saying it was an ongoing liability on the public purse. `The Newman government has no mandate from the people of Queensland to allow uranium mining as they explicitly ruled it out before the election,” he said.
Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear-free campaigner Dave Sweeney said the uranium sector was a minor contributor to employment and the economy, was a major source of domestic and international risks and was overdue for an independent inquiry into its effects on the environment, health, safety and security.
“Instead of backroom deals to facilitate an underperforming and contested industry, the LNP government should honour its responsibilities to the community and the environment by commissioning an independent public inquiry into the full costs and consequences of any uranium mining in Queensland,” Mr Sweeney said.
No sign of hope for uranium mining in Queensland
Uranium mining start faces hurdles, ABC News 2 Oct 2013, The Australian Uranium Association says it will be some time before uranium mining begins in Queensland……Mr Angwin says low uranium prices are a big deterrent.
“We’ve got low-cost competitors around the world who are doing much better than Australia is at the moment and we’ve got a relatively cumbersome assessment and approval process for environmental issues,” he said.
“So if you put those three issues together and particularly the low price of uranium then it’ll be some time before companies decide the time is right to mine uranium.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-02/uranium-mining-start-faces-hurdles/4993738
AUDIO: climate change causes dangerous jellyfish to move South, threatening Australia’s tourism industry
AUDIO Researchers say Irukandji jellyfish migrating further south along Qld coast http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-29/irukandji-jellyfish-migrating-further-south-along-qld-coast/5051580 AM By Nance Haxton and staff 29 Oct 2013,
Marine researchers say climate change could be altering the migration patterns of the dangerous Irukandji jellyfish along Queensland’s east coast.
The Irukandji is one of the deadliest marine animals, so venomous it inflicts excruciating pain that sometimes leads to death.
It has been on a relentless march southwards down the Queensland coast.
If the Irukandji becomes established off Queensland’s south-east coast, it would be devastating for the region’s tourism industry……
Nuclear Free Queensland protest in Brisbane, against uranium mining policy
Activists protest return to uranium mining in Queensland http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/activists-protest-return-uranium-mining-queensland/2065510/ 28th Oct 2013 ABOUT 20 people staged a colourful protest in Brisbane today to mark the first anniversary of the Queensland Government’s decision to allow a return to uranium mining in the state. The protesters gathered outside the Executive Building in the hope of catching State Government ministers as they entered the building for the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Members of anti-uranium group, Keep Queensland Nuclear Free, spent about 10 minutes chanting “No Mandate for Uranium” before dispersing. Anti-Nuclear campaign co-ordinator Mark Bailey said regional centres like Townsville, Mt Isa, Emerald and St George along with a number of smaller towns will be at risk from nuclear accidents.
“Rather than arrogantly place many Queenslanders at risk the government should at least facilitate an informed debate about the dangers and risks of uranium mining through an independent inquiry,” he said.
“It is highly unlikely a majority of Queenslanders would support the resumption of mining when presented with all the facts. “Uranium mining is a dangerous, risky, small industry with big impacts on the environment, on workers, surrounding regions and potentially along transport routes.”
Queensland University gets a second, and even larger, solar array
Queensland’s Largest Solar Panel Array Announced http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3998 27 Oct 13, Queensland University will soon be home to the largest solar power system in the state.
Announced last week, the 3.275 megawatt pilot plant will incorporate more than 34,000 ground mounted solar panels. The solar farm will be constructed on a 12.6 hectare former airstrip site at the University’s Gatton campus, which is situated 90km west of Brisbane.
Doubling as a research facility, the Gatton plant will augment the University’s existing St Lucia campus 1.22 megawatt photovoltaic array; which is currently Australia’s largest rooftop solar installation. Continue reading
Call for inquiry into proposed uranium mining in Queensland
The Newman government must hold a fully independent and open inquiry into the real risks of uranium mining before Queensland starts down a risky pathway for existing industries, workers and our environment.
If it’s as safe as they claim, then they have nothing to fear from any inquiry.
Independent inquiry needed into uranium mining Brisbane Times, Mark Bailey, October 23, 2013 This week marks one year since the Newman government breaking its pre-election promise by overturning Queensland’s ban on uranium mining – without any mandate to do so.
Queenslanders across the state should be deeply worried about the dangers of mining and transporting uranium yellow cake due to the many radioactive risks involved. It was no surprise to hear Premier Campbell Newman admitting no research or modelling had been done before overturning the ban.
Given the extensive history of over 150 recorded mishaps at the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory, why would our state allow a uranium mine located in our tropical climate prone to heavy summer rainfall and cyclones from the Coral Sea and the Gulf?
Given the vast amounts of radioactive sludge (or ‘tailings’) involved in uranium mining, the impact of inevitable extreme weather events slamming into mine sites with many hectares of tailings risks radioactive sludge spreading over vast distances in our state. That’s not a risk worth taking for existing industries in north and north-west Queensland let alone residents.
Uranium mines use vast amounts of water that are likely to come from the Great Artesian Basin for most of the year. While rainfall is often torrential in the wet season in north Queensland, much of the north west is dry most of the time.
The cumulative impact on the Great Artesian Basin of anywhere between one to five uranium mines may have a significant impact on water resources for other existing agricultural and cattle industries. Once one uranium mine is approved then other mines will likely be approved……
Shamefully, the Newman government has not ruled out exporting uranium across the Great Barrier Reef which should be a source of great national and international concern. Continue reading
Don’t let the Australian government lose oversight of the NATIONALLY important (and financially failing) uranium industry
Uranium mining and export not a piece of yellow cake http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-uranium-mining-and-export-not-a-piece-of-yellow-cake/story-fnihsr9v-1226729513911 DAVE SWEENEY THE COURIER-MAIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
THIS week the Australian Uranium Association and other nuclear industry hopefuls will head to western Queensland for the Mining the Isa conference. Mt Isa is no stranger to mining but the region – and Queensland – would be well advised to treat the claims of the uranium sector with caution.
Globally the nuclear industry is under intense political, regulatory and community pressure since the Fukushima meltdown, a continuing nuclear crisis directly linked to Australia’s contested and contaminating uranium industry.
Recently the Newman Government released an “action plan” that seeks to open the door to uranium mining in Queensland but the LNP’s uranium road map is deeply flawed and in conflict with federal policy, global markets and community expectations. A key plank of the LNP’s plan is to have “all uranium mining proposals in Queensland assessed and approved by the state government”. Currently uranium mining and wider nuclear issues remain the clear responsibility of the federal government and this is as it should be.
Uranium mining is an issue of national interest and importance with extensive risks and long term impacts and is rightly a matter for the active consideration of the national government.
State governments, mining companies and the Australian Uranium Association, have long dreamt of the power to tick off on a new uranium mine being transferred to state governments in the hope that this would removing key checks and balances and speed up approvals. Continue reading
At least Queensland government is now TALKING about renewable energy
Renewable Energy Options Discussed http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/renewable-energy-options-discussed,31608#.UkN-kNJwonE
Energy Minister Mark McArdle is encouraging the development of new energy generating technologies that offer cost savings to electricity users.
Speaking today at the first annual OnSite Energy conference in Brisbane, Mr McArdle said an increasing number of solutions combining multiple technologies were entering the market.
“Emerging technologies have the potential, if implemented and managed correctly, to save electricity users money, address peak demand issues and defer the need to build network infrastructure,” he said.
“Positive outcomes can be achieved through the grouping of multiple technologies and the Newman Government supports these technologies where they are commercially viable.”
Mr McArdle said the three-day OnSite Energy conference would raise awareness of developing renewable energy sources. Continue reading
Queensland govt talks the talk on Aboriginal rights, but does it walk the walk?
Queensland government using the right language on mining on aboriginal land http://fredleftwich.com/2013/09/18/queensland-government-using-the-right-language-on-mining-on-aboriginal-land/
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/9/18/aurukun-proposals-submitted
The Queensland Government has received two proposals to develop the Aurukun bauxite deposit in western Cape York. The government says it will evaluate the proposals based on their environmental merits as well as how they maximised benefits and returns to the native title holders, the Aurukun community and the state.
At least the government is using the right language in trying to maximised benefits and returns to aboriginal communities but to make sure, the government must release the details of the final contract showing that aboriginal groups are in deed receiving their fair share of profits. As I mentioned in my previous post, A treaty would help this process to achieve the best possible outcomes for all parties.
Queensland’s Newman government to open up Cape York wilderness to mining
Blueprint splits Cape Liam Parsons Thursday, September 19, 2013 The Cairns Post HUGE sections of Cape York will be opened up to mining and farming under the Newman Government’s draft Cape York Regional Plan.
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney was in Cairns yesterday to unveil the plan which will replace the former Labor government’s Wild Rivers laws……. Wilderness Society Northern Australia campaigner Gavan McFadzean described the draft plan as the Newman Government’s blueprint to industrialise Cape York. “This Government wants to open up the most sensitive waterways and landscapes to mining, dams and land clearing,” he said.
Mr McFadzean said the plan snubbed the region’s world heritage values and “rides roughshod over the aspirations of the traditional owners of Cape York.” http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/09/19/248318_local-news.html
If uranium becomes profitable – likely that Queensland will ship it through Barrier Reef
Qld Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says no current plan to ship uranium through Barrier Reef ABC News, By James Kelly, Francis Tapim and Isobel Roe 13 Sep 2013, Queensland’s Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says uranium will not be exported through the Great Barrier Reef any time soon, but will not rule it out down the track. The State Government announced yesterday its action plan to reintroduce uranium mining in Queensland after lifting the ban in October last year…….
Mr Cripps says once mining starts, uranium would be shipped out of existing licensed ports in Adelaide or Darwin.
“Any situation where the commercial volumes of uranium developed in Queensland requiring the licensing of an additional port somewhere in Queensland is many years into the future,” he said.
Reef shipping ‘catastrophe waiting to happen’
Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) spokeswoman Felicity Wishart says shipping uranium through the reef is a catastrophe waiting to happen…… Continue reading
Australia’s Liberal Government and Queensland State Government’s conflicting views on uranium mining
Abbott, Newman could clash on uranium http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-front-burner-nuclear-loans-con-20130912,0,1513077.story 13 Sept 13 Queensland’s plan to control uranium mine approvals would bring it into conflict with the new federal government, conservationists say. The Liberal National Party state government released it’s uranium strategy on Thursday, and it wants the federal government to hand it power to approve uranium projects.
The federal coalition has campaigned to keep uranium approvals with the commonwealth.
Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says the state plan would put it at odds with the federal government. “The Queensland government’s action plan is ill-considered and inadequate,” spokesman Dave Sweeney told AAP.
“The LNP position is in conflict with federal coalition uranium policy and commitments.” Mr Sweeney also said that Queensland’s plan completely ignored the world’s weak uranium market, where prices had plummeted since the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
Queensland govt says no exporting of uranium over great Barrier Reef
Government rules out uranium exports over Great Barrier Reef The Satellite, APN Newsdesk 12th Sep 2013 APN NEWSDESK EXPORTING Queensland’s uranium is a priority for the state government, but the radioactive material is unlikely to leave Australian shores via the Great Barrier Reef.
In an “action plan” released on Thursday, the State Government has ruled that any uranium pulled from Queensland provinces can only be exported from Adelaide or Darwin……… The government has again ruled out allowing nuclear power plants or the disposal of radioactive waste in Queensland.
And like all major resources projects, the state is pushing to gain control over approvals – but environmental activists are concerned.
Australian Conservation Foundation Dave Sweeney said such state powers conflicted with comments by the incoming Federal Government that it would retain its hold over uranium projects. “Uranium mining is an issue of national interest and importance and is rightly a matter for the active consideration of the national government,” Mr Sweeney said.
Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the government would begin considering projects by mid-2014. From there, demand from industry would determine when mining began.http://www.thesatellite.com.au/news/exporting-queenslands-uranium-barrier-reef/2018482/
Queensland government pro uranium mining, but cautions on poor market for uranium
Qld Government moves closer to re-establish uranium mining ABC News, By Kim Lyell, 13 Sept 13 The Queensland Government has released a plan to re-establish uranium mining in the state as early as next year…….. Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says the Government has accepted the findings of an independent committee that, with some adaptations, uranium mining could resume under existing industry regulation and radiation safety systems.
“An action plan has been released and an oversight committee established,” he said. Mr Cripps says the action plan covers all aspects of the approvals process, environmental and health and safety standards, Indigenous opportunities and native title.
The Government says although it could assess applications from next year, the market for uranium will ultimately determine when mining begins……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-12/qld-government-moves-to-re-establish-uranium-mining/4953742
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