Australian govt doing publicity spin as it hands Woomera over to uranium miners
Woomera-Land of the Dispossessed-Open for Mining Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog, November 12, 2010 Government announces Review of Woomera Prohibited Area .http://www.defence.gov.au/woomerareview/
!. Remove Aboriginal People – 40s-50s.
2. Bomb the crap out of the joint.
3. Do a “clean up” sufficient for the mining industry\
4. Do a PR exersize prior to handing to area to miners.
5. Hand the area to miners.Throughout all this step 1 remains in force over the larger Prohibited Area.
We are at step 4
“Today Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson released the Interim Report of the Government Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area.
Public Comment on the Interim Report is welcome. Please send any comments to woomera.reviewteam@defence.gov.au by 3 December 2010………nuclearhistory « Paul Langley’s Nuclear History Blog
Australian uranium sales to Russia, a backward step for peace and global safety
The Australian Greens have condemned the Federal Government for striking a deal to sell uranium to Russia’s power industry.Greens nuclear issues spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the deal announced today was environmentally irresponsible and a drastic step backwards for nuclear disarmament.
“Russia has a nuclear energy sector known for low safety and environmental standards, the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, is a key part of the Iranian nuclear programme and has not been visited by IAEA inspectors since 2001,” he said. “The case against selling uranium to Russia is undeniable.” Continue reading
Australia’s uranium to Russia, country with worst safety record!
“The move will see Australia supplying uranium to a country with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, and the largest stockpile of weapons-usable material, much of it inadequately secured,” said ICAN Chair Associate Professor Tilman Ruff. Continue reading
Australian govt disregards expert committee, in selling uranium to Russia
Australian Conservation Foundation, David Noonan, David Sweeney, 12 Nov 2010, In 2008 the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties recommended the Government not proceed with a treaty to export uranium to Russia. Continue reading
Closure of Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor may signal end of nuclear industry
With the Green Mountain State’s newly elected pro-green governor and legislature, Yankee may be the first domino to fall in a chain of leaky, rickety, increasingly dangerous elder nukes. With them would go a serious premise of a nuclear future.
Vermont Votes No Nukes, THE HUFFINGTON POST, Harvey Wasserman: , 10 Nov 10, Vermont has elected a governor pledged to make the state truly green by shutting its decrepit, leaking nuclear plant. And the town closest to that reactor has voted to take it by eminent domain if necessary, a step unprecedented in world history. Continue reading
Indian govt presses on with Meghalaya uranium mining, despite public opposition
‘How can we allow them to start this mining project when they themselves cannot give satisfactory answers on health and environment impact of uranium mining,’
Meghalaya civil groups oppose uranium mining project Shillong, sify news, Nov 10 (IANS) Anti-mining groups in Meghalaya Wednesday vowed that they would continue to oppose a uranium mining project, while the central government set 2012 as the year to start mining in the state’s West Khasi Hills district. Continue reading
German protestors from all walks of life inspire global anti-nuclear movement
The anti-CASTOR protestors have set an example for the whole world of the raw power of peaceful protest to challenge both government and the nuclear industry. Their historic resistance this weekend will no doubt continue to be an inspiration for all of us working towards a future where dangerous nuclear energy is a thing of the past.
Raw power of peaceful protest: 10,000 people take direct action against nuclear transport | Greenpeace International by Laura K. – November 8, 2010 From Australia to Canada, from India to the UK – the world is watching the ongoing protest of the CASTOR nuclear transport in Germany. Continue reading
Bad timing: Obama promotes nuclear power as its safety problems mount
The problems all occurred within days of President Obama’s post-election press conference in which he promoted restarting the U.S. nuclear power industry. His remarks came after heavy spending by the nuclear power industry during the recent election cycle.
As Obama pushes nuclear industry’s expansion, its safety troubles mount, FACING SOUTH, By Sue Sturgis on November 8, 2010, Continue reading
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
German anti-nuclear protest now a mainstream movement
“The main difference between the ’70s and ’80s, when this all started, is today it’s a mainstream issue at the centre of the society,” …… “It is not just the ecological fringe.”
Massive protest in Germany highlights anti-nuclear feeling
What has made this particular demonstration so explosive is the coincidence of this transport of nuclear waste with the government’s decision to overturn former legislation aimed at phasing out nuclear power by around 2020.
Mounting disappointments boost anti-nuclear protests Deutsche Welle, Ben Knight, 08.11.2010 “……..The ongoing civil disobedience campaign against a train delivery of nuclear waste to a storage facility in Gorleben is being reported as one of the biggest of its kind ever in Germany. Continue reading
Cameco Paladin uranium companies having second thoughts on Alice Springs mine plan
Cameco Paladin says the Government’s decision to oppose any plans to mine the Angela Pamela site, despite granting the company an exploration licence, has created uncertainty for the project.
Mining company reconsiders scale of uranium project, – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Amy Marshall d Mon Nov 8, 2010 A mining company exploring for uranium at a site near Alice Springs says it will reconsider the scale of its project in light of opposition from the Northern Territory Government. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson can over-ride Northern Territory Govt on Cameco uranium mine
The Mining Act (NT) requires the relevant Northern Territory Minister to exercise his or her powers in accordance with, and give effect to, the advice of the relevant Federal Minister in relation to uranium …… The Federal Minister’s position is not known.- [oh yeah!]
Nt government opposes uranium mine Lexology Margaret Michaels November 3 2010 The Northern Territory Government is opposed to a uranium mine at Angela Pamela, but the decision is up to the Federal Government. Continue reading
Cameco uranium company’s profit tumbles
Cameco profit tumbles on higher costs – The Globe and Mail, 8 Nov 10, Cameco (CCO-T35.982.828.50%)says its profit tumbled 43 per cent in the third quarter as lower uranium deliveries weakened results.The Saskatoon-based company said net income was $98-million, or 25 cents per share, a drop from $172-million or 44 cents per share a year earlier…..
Woomera ‘prohibited’ zone to have both uranium mining and weapons testing
The region is synonymous with the testing of long range missiles and rockets during the Cold War and is still used by the military for weapons testing. The Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said that the new recommendation is that the miners and the military would be both operating at some sections of the land on a time share basis.
Australia May Tap Restricted Area of Woomera for Natural Resources [uranium mining] Azomining, By Joel Scanlon, 9 Nov 10, The Woomera weapons testing range in South Australia’s outback will be downsized to allow mining in the region as per a federal government report recommendation. Vast restricted areas of South Australia will be opened up to mining companies including foreign investors if the review is considered favourably. Continue reading
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