Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items

South Australian Premier rules out nuclear power and uranium enrichment

No enrichment or nuclear plant on my watch: Rann , ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 23 March 11, Premier Mike Rann has used State Parliament to hose down the possibility of uranium enrichment or nuclear power plants in South Australia.Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis and Olympic Dam Minister Kevin Foley broke with ALP policy this week when they made public comments in support of an expansion of the industry.Mr Rann told Parliament no companies had expressed an interest in building a nuclear power plant in SA.He made clear again his support for ALP policy on nuclear issues……..No enrichment or nuclear plant on my watch: Rann – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

March 24, 2011 Posted by | politics, South Australia | | Leave a comment

Uranium conference in Adelaide hears govt enthusiasm for nuclear power

Key MPs back expansion of nuclear industry in South Australia | Adelaide Now,  Christopher Russell and Sarah Martin,  March 22, 2011 TWO senior Rann Government ministers have backed the expansion of Australia’s nuclear industry.Former treasurer Kevin Foley yesterday said Australia should embrace nuclear power. Continue reading →

March 22, 2011 Posted by | marketing for nuclear, South Australia | | Leave a comment

South Australian govt wants to enrich uranium in S.A.

In a bullish speech to a uranium conference in Adelaide, Mr Koutsantonis dubbed the reaction to the Fukushima crisis as ”hysteria”, and said nuclear power remained “the path for the future”..

SA call for uranium enrichment at home, Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Ker, Adelaide, March 22, 2011A SPECULATION about the demise of the uranium industry has been fiercely challenged by the South Australian government, which yesterday suggested Australia should expand its relationship with uranium to include domestic enrichment Continue reading →

March 22, 2011 Posted by | politics, South Australia, uranium | | Leave a comment

Australian designed renewable energy car around world in 80 days

Australia’s green car completes world tour in $400, Sify News, 2011-02-28 A two-seater renewable energy vehicle crossed the finish line of a global zero emissions race covering 16 countries and 30,000 km in 80 days in only $400.The Google-sponsored car Team Trev arrived at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday night.
Initially designed by University of South Australia (UniSA) and driven by UniSA researchers, the three-wheeled electric machine was Australia’s only representative in the first zero emission global race for vehicles powered by renewable energy…….Clean electricity for the around-the-world trip cost us about $400, so it’s really cheap to run as well as clean – it makes you wonder why we are still driving around in petrol cars because we’ve shown it is possible to do it differently,’ he said……Australia`s green car completes world tour in $400

March 3, 2011 Posted by | energy, South Australia | | Leave a comment

The devious politics of uranium mining – example Arkaroola

To thread their way through environmental protection laws and keep Marathon investing, supporters of mining in the sanctuary have performed a range of unedifying gymnastics.

For years, Labor has joined with Marathon in a flagrant misreading of the SA Development Plan.

SA Labor buckling on Arkaroola uranium?,  Green Left Weekly, February 27, 2011By Renfrey Clarke,”……….As insurance against lingering environmentalism among government ministers, Marathon — one of whose largest shareholders is the Chinese mining group CITIC — has brought a suite of former Labor politicians on board. Continue reading →

February 28, 2011 Posted by | politics, secrets and lies, South Australia, uranium | , | Leave a comment

South Australian govt under pressure over Arkaroola’s environment

Some of the worst effects would be on the region’s scant groundwater resources….five million litres of water a day for mining and processing. “That’s a heck of a lot of water in a very dry environment,”

SA Labor buckling on Arkaroola uranium?,  Green Left Weekly, February 27, 2011, By Renfrey Clarke, Adelaide Under heavy public pressure, the South Australian government of Labor Premier Mike Rann appears to be wavering in its support for mining uranium in the Arkaroola wilderness in the state’s north. Continue reading →

February 28, 2011 Posted by | South Australia, uranium, water | , | Leave a comment

Stacked pro nuclear panel, stacked audience, in Adelaide?

both the panel and the audience seemed to be composed entirely of nuclear energy supporters. Renewable energy was dismissed as irrelevant, there was virtually no mention of nuclear accidents, and Brook patronisingly dismissed community concerns about the location of nuclear plants as “juvenile”.

Greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, CPA – The Guardian, Peter Mac,  23 February 2011 ” ……. In a recent TV panel discussion (ABC 24, 19-02-2011), Adelaide University Professor Barry Brook argued strongly for Australia to develop a nuclear power industry based around fast nuclear reactors. Continue reading →

February 24, 2011 Posted by | marketing for nuclear, South Australia, spinbuster | | Leave a comment

S.A. govt should come clean on Arkaroola uranium mining policy

Creating a national park would give the SA Premier a boost in the polls, with mining in the sanctuary highly unpopular among voters. However, converting the land to national park would not affect the mining lease. Marathon was recently granted a 12-month extension to its licence at Arkaroola.

National park rumours take toll on SA uranium miner | The Australian,  Verity Edwards and Damon Kitney February 21, 2011 1 The value of controversial mining company Marathon Resources has fallen by $4.9 million amid speculation the Rann government will declare the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary a national park. Continue reading →

February 20, 2011 Posted by | politics, South Australia | | 1 Comment

Arkaroola to be a National Park, perhaps not with uranium mining?

Clearly, there is overwhelming public opposition to mining in Arkaroola.

Editorial: Sentiment holds sway for Arkaroola | Adelaide Now, 18 Feb 2011, THE expected decision to declare the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary a national park is a welcome move. Continue reading →

February 18, 2011 Posted by | environment, South Australia | | Leave a comment

BHP Billiton to decide on Olympic Dam expansion in 2012

BHP Billiton to return $US10b to shareholders, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 Feb 2011, BHP Billiton plans to pour $US80 billion ($80.2 billion) into expansions over the next five years and return cash to investors rather than chase ambitious takeovers, after nearly doubling its first-half profit to a record……
BHP’s $US80 billion expansion plan over the next five years includes expanding its Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in Australia, with a decision expected in 2012,…..

February 16, 2011 Posted by | business, South Australia, uranium | | Leave a comment

BHP’s record of safety failures in Australia

In June last year, BHP was fined more than $75,000 over the death of a worker at Olympic Dam, after it ignored its own safety rules….In 2008-9, five people died at BHP’s West Australian iron ore operations and another in 2009-10 at a WA nickel mine.

BHP may face safety charge Matt Chambers   The Australian * February 15, 2011 BHP Billiton could be charged over a 2009 Olympic Dam mine accident Continue reading →

February 15, 2011 Posted by | safety, South Australia | | Leave a comment

South Australian facing opposition on Arkaroola uranium mining

The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is a recognised sanctuary under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act and is an “Environmental Class A Zone” under the Development Act.

Uranium threat to pristine sanctuary, Green Left, February 13, 2011 By Sean Brocklehurst, Adelaide

“…..It isn’t often that socialists, Greens, Liberals and NGOs agree on an issue. But that is the case regarding uranium exploration in the Arkaroola region in the Flinders Ranges, 700 kilometres north of Adelaide. Continue reading →

February 14, 2011 Posted by | environment, South Australia | | Leave a comment

South Australian Labor rejects nuclear power

“Nuclear reactors are traditionally more expensive to build than traditional energy sources and have significant environmental and cost issues associated with long-term storage and management of high level nuclear waste.

“The economics of nuclear power do not add up.

Labor blocks nuclear power bid for state, Adelaide Now Daniel Wills February 11, 2011 LABOR has blocked a push for South Australia to consider nuclear power to meet energy demands. Continue reading →

February 11, 2011 Posted by | politics, South Australia | | Leave a comment

South Australian govt allows uranium company to despoil unique wilderness

Senator Minchin described it as one of the most reckless decisions of the state Labor government…Wilderness Society environmental scientist Matt Turner said most South Australians were opposed to mining in Arkaroola.

Minchin blasts Flinders Ranges mining permit, Sydney Morning Herald, February 7, 2011 Uranium explorer Marathon Resources has had its licence renewed to operate in the sensitive Arkaroola region of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. Continue reading →

February 8, 2011 Posted by | politics, South Australia | | Leave a comment

Uranium exploration: South Australian Government ignoring Arkaroola Wilderness

Sanctuary ‘ignored’ on mining exploration ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Feb 4, 2011 Arkaroola wilderness manager says she has been ignored on mining exploration Continue reading →

February 7, 2011 Posted by | environment, South Australia, uranium | | Leave a comment