Scott Ludlam quotes prestigious international medical group on danger of uranium mining
“I think we disregard [these health professionals] at our peril….[M]embers of parliament and advocates who are hitching their political fortunes to this most volatile and dangerous of industries, should be warned and should listen to the words of these health professionals. “…There are no second chances with this unforgiving technology. This is an industry that we should be getting out of rather than getting ourselves further into.”
Australian senator questions uranium policies; cites IPPNW resolution « IPPNW peace and health blog, February 25, by John Loretz Senator Scott Ludlam, a member of the Australian Parliament from the Green party, has been asking the government some pointed questions about the health and environmental effects of uranium mining. Continue reading
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
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
Uranium exploration: South Australian Government ignoring Arkaroola Wilderness
Time for ERA to shut down Ranger uranium mine
“It is time for ERA to end its increasingly ill-considered and desperate expansion plans and start a measured, costed and comprehensive clean up and exit from Ranger. Twelve weeks is a start, but the unique Kakadu environment needs more than a three month reprieve.”
Dave Sweeney 29 Jan 2011, The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed today’s confirmation of the suspension of mineral processing operations at Energy Resources of Australia’s troubled Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu. Ranger continues to be dogged by operational problems, including unresolved seepage from the tailings dam and the planned twelve week suspension seeks to reduce pressure on the under-performing tailings dam. Continue reading
Will South Australia sacrifice a national wilderness to a uranium company’s greed?
ARKAROOLA IS:
• on the Register of the National Estate
• a recognised geological monument,
• a Sanctuary under the National Parks & Wildlife Act
• an Environmental Class A zone under the Development Act
LET’S STAND UP FOR ARKAROOLA!, Amanda Rowe, 21 Jan 2011,
In 2007 mining company Marathon Resources had its exploration licence suspended after illegally dumping 22,800 bags of radioactive waste in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and stealing Fluorite from a site classified as a Geological monument. Continue reading
World renowned Arkaroola Wilderness still threatened by uranium mining
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary director Marg Sprigg says the overhaul of the state’s mining laws has done little to beef up environmental protection. “Unless further conditions are imposed in any licence to explore for uranium within Arkaroola, bulldozers can again move in, carving tracks through fragile environments and flattening steep slopes to create closely spaced drilling pads,”
Arkaroola mining measures criticised, The Advertiser, ADAM TODD November 22, 2010 ARKAROOLA Wilderness Sanctuary is still under threat from miners despite new laws aimed at penalising those who breach exploration and mining licences, the sanctuary’s director says. Continue reading
50 years later, Rum Jungle uranium mine site still radioactive
Recreation reserve closed due to radiation, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Louisa Rebgetz Nov 12, 2010 A Northern Territory recreational reserve where a uranium mine once operated has been closed due to low-level radiation in the area. The Rum Jungle Mine, about 100 kilometres south of Darwin, operated in the early 1960s.The area was rehabilitated in 1991 before becoming the Rum Jungle South Recreation Reserve.The Department of Resources says tests at the waste rock pile at the reserve have detected low-level radiation……Recreation reserve closed due to radiation – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Water use, radiation hazard, in Cameco’s planned Pilbara uranium mine
Cameco’s Kintyre Uranium Project report details risks to mine workers from radiation exposure, the potential for groundwater contamination and the spread of radioactive dust and its potential to endanger flora and fauna.
Radiation fear for Pilbara uraium mine workers * Narelle Towie, The Sunday Times November 08, 2010 A CANADIAN company plans to draw five million litres of water a day – two Olympic-sized pools – to operate a uranium mine on the edge of a Pilbara national park. Continue reading
BHP Billiton held accountable for environmental impacts of uranium mine expansion plan
Call on BHP to answer over Olympic Dam impacts, Australian Conservation Foundation, David Noonan, 16 Oct 10
- BHP must present feasible alternatives to prevent or reduce the impacts of the proposed Olympic Dam open cut mine in the next phase of the Environmental Impact Statement process, including: considering copper mining alone – without uranium exports; properly managing radioactive liquid wastes and tailings; using renewable energy for its large new electricity demands; and protecting the fragile gulf environment from impacts from the mine’s proposed water supply. Continue reading
Koongarra uranium mining would endanger precious wetlands
“Woolwonga is so valuable ecologically that we oppose in principle any mining development upstream of it,” the inquiry report said.
Rich uranium mine stays locked up, Northern Territory News, NIGEL ADLAM, August 11th, 2010 “….. The Fox Inquiry said in 1977 that Koongarra should not be mined as it is close to the internationally important Woolwonga wetlands. Continue reading
AREVA unhappy, Australia’s tourism happy, about Kakadu expansion
AREVA wants the Government to explain its decision and says it is now seeking legal advice…Meanwhile, Tourism Top End says it is hopeful Labor’s pledge to expand Kakadu will mean more areas will be opened to tourists.
Kakadu expansion plan bewilders uranium miner – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Emma Masters, Aug 11, 2010 “….A French mining company seeking to exploit uranium-rich land surrounded by Kakadu National Park is calling for the Federal Government to explain why it has promised to stop future mining. Continue reading
Sturt Highway to be Australia’s radioactive waste route?
Dr Jim Green says the Government is unlikely to favour a route through Queensland because it is impractical and communities through Dubbo and Broken Hill have previous expressed strong opposition.
Sturt Highway likely route for nuclear waste – ABC Western Plains NSW – Australian Broadcasting Corporation 11 Aug 2010, An anti-nuclear group claims the Sturt Highway is likely to be the route that will be used to shift radioactive waste if a proposed dump in the Northern Territory goes ahead. Continue reading
Radioactive legacy of Western Australia’s uranium mining
Australian Greens Senator for WA Rachel Siewert has used the site to highlight the dangers of uranium mining.
“As the Australian Uranium Summit kicks off, it is crucial that West Australians get the full story,” Ms Siewert said. “Uranium mining and nuclear power is not clean, it is not safe and it is not cheap.”
High radiation levels ‘more than hundred times’ safe level at Wiluna mine | Perth Now, Narelle Towie, , July 21, 2010 RADIATION levels more than 100 times normal background readings have been recorded at an old uranium site, despite the area being “cleaned” a decade ago. 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
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