Warning on radiation hazard of Whyalla rare earths processing
“there are hazards related to the processing of these rare earths, not the least of which is radiation.”.
Australian Greens sounds grave alarm on Whyalla rare earths processing in SA – International Business Times, By Ricky Roxas | September 27, 2010 Australian Greens sounds grave alarm on Whyalla rare earths processing in SAThe Australian Greens party voiced out its concerns on Monday that the South Australian government may be rushing too much on the proposed rare earths processing plant in Whyalla following the state’s move of giving major project status to the planned $1 billion rare earths facility by Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX: ARU). Continue reading
Wobbly Word of the Week – “Rare Earths”
Yes – Rare Earths – What are they? The title sounds innocuous, and there’s no doubt that some “rare earths” are essential to many of today’s technology items.
It’s just that we should not lose sight of the radiation problems involved in mining and processing rare earths, nor let them slip under the radar as pro-uranium governments, like South Australia’s , promote the nuclear fuel cycle
Well, take the Arafura project below – this project includes a (small) commercial quantity of uranium product, and a large volume of thorium waste, enriched to ten times the radioactivity of the ore.
South Australian govt promotes rare earth complex
The Whyalla rare earths complex will process mineral concentrate from the Nolans project, in the Northern Territory.
Arafura’s rare earth complex gets priority status Mining Weekly, By: Esmarie Swanepoel, 24th September 2010 PERTH – Rare earth developer Arafura Resources on Friday announced that South Australia Urban Development and Planning Minister Paul Holloway had declared the Whyalla rare earths complex a major project….. Continue reading
Uranium mining project for Whyalla
UraniumSA triples resource for South Australian project near Whyalla to 10,400 tonnes of uranium oxide
– New Mullaquana Inferred estimate of 38.7Mt containing 10,400 tonnes of U3O8 (equivalent to 22.9 million pounds) at an average grade of 275 ppm eU3O8. – Up from initial estimate of 2,700t
South Australian Liberal Party will reject uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness
- “The state Liberal Party has decided very clearly that it will reject any move by the State Government to change the environmental status of Arkaroola
- Isobel Redmond vows to block uranium mining in the Arkaroola mining Adelaide Now, Daniel Wills, September 14, 2010 OPPOSITION Leader Isobel Redmond has declared her party will block any future moves to allow uranium mining in the Arkaroola Wildness Sanctuary. Continue reading
Prominent South Australian Liberals oppose uranium mining in Arkaroola
Several prominent Liberals strongly oppose mining in the Arkaroola area, including Senator Nick Minchin, former environment spokesperson Michelle Lensink and shadow treasurer Ian Evans.
Libs deadlocked on Arkaroola, The Independent Weekly, HENDRIK GOUT, 04 Sep 2010 The Liberal Party is has been unable to decide whether to support mining in the Arkaroola Wilderness. Continue reading
South Australan Liberals can’t decide on uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
The Greens are trying to legislate to ban mining in the outback wilderness sanctuary.
Liberals defer decision on Arkaroola mining – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Sep 1, 2010 The South Australian Liberal Party has deferred a decision on whether to support a ban on mining at Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges.
The Greens are trying to legislate to ban mining in the outback wilderness sanctuary.
A Liberal Party conference at Port Lincoln has discussed the issue, but Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond says a decision is yet to be made because some party members who were not present may want to have a say…….
Liberals defer decision on Arkaroola mining – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Fear and loathing in the Four Mile uranium project companies
Alliance claimed it wanted to protect its interests but Quasar countered that the confidentiality of the meetings could be put at risk.
Uranium companies at odds on recording devices ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Sep 1, 2010 A company involved in developing a uranium mine near Beverley in the far north-east of South Australia has lost an attempt to record confidential meetings. Continue reading
South Australia could be renewable energy hub
According to the Greens South Australian Senate candidate Penny Wright, four potential wind energy projects on the Eyre Peninsula could more than double South Australia’s wind-sourced electricity generation capacity to 7500 megawatts if better transmission infrastructure were available.
Greens Envision South Australia As A Renewable Energy Exporter : Renewable Energy News, 16 AUGUST, 2010, The Australian Greens have proposed upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across Australia that would see South Australia become a renewable energy exporter. Continue reading
Federal and South Australian govts won’t help Maralinga veterans!
Premier Mike Rann has said veterans and Aboriginal people affected by the testing deserved compensation from the British government….There have been genetic abnormalities and high levels of cancer among those who witnessed the atomic tests and their offspring.
State refuses to fund Maralinga court battle Pia Akerman The Australian * July 29, 2010THE Rann government in South Australia has refused to meet with representatives of Aboriginal people affected by British nuclear tests. Continue reading
Greens MP Mark Parnell will continue fight against uranium mining in Arkaroola
Arkaroola mining debate delayed, The Independent Weekly, SUZIE KEEN24 Jul, 2010 A parliamentary showdown over mining at Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges will be delayed until September. Continue reading
BHP- cutting staff, new Environmental Impact Statement on OLympic Dam uranium mine expansion
The decision is understood to affect about 150 staff…..BHP is preparing a supplementary environmental impact statement in response to public consultation on its draft EIS for the Olympic Dam expansion.
BHP to move white-collar jobs interstate and overseas Gavin Lower . The Australian July 23, 2010 Continue reading
Protest at Olympic Dam against effects on Aborigines, water, pollution
Zane Alcorn said: “Not only is the expansion at Olympic Dam going ahead without the consent of traditional owners, but tens of thousands of gigalitres of water per day is being sucked out of the Artesian Basin on Arabunna land to service the mine.
Protesters block mine. Roxby Downs Sun, 22 Jul, 2010 Forty anti-nuclear activists staged a protest on Friday against the Olympic Dam expansion, blockading the entrance and stopping traffic from entering.
The protest aimed to highlight the “catastrophic effects” the mine and its expansion would have on traditional owners and their natural resources. Activists painted themselves blue and used their bodies to spell words such as water, with some people partly naked to help draw attention to their views. Continue reading
International plea to save Arkaroola wilderness from uranium mining
Arkaroola wilderness bid for UN recognition, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 20 July 2010, A bid has been made for Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary to be given United Nations recognition as an international geopark.
The sanctuary operators have been fighting to protect the Arkaroola area of the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia from mining. Continue reading
World’s biggest uranium hole, BHP’s Olympic Dam. in doubt
“we are hearing from engineering circles that BHP has gone cold on the project. And it’s my gut feeling that the enthusiasm isn’t quite there any more.” – shadow mining minister Mitch Williams
Hole lot of trouble for BHP – The Independent Weekly, KEVIN NAUGHTON, 17 Jul, 2010 BHP Billiton’s Clark Shaft at Olympic Dam is set to return to full production, ending a nine-month lull in copper and uranium output.
But the news comes as speculation again surfaces about the company’s long-term plans for the mine…….
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