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
Newcastle project for new solar energy technology
The main advantage of the technology is that, unlike current solar thermal plants, it can be used in areas with no water, which are often the sunniest places on the planet.
Magic of mirrors, Newcastle Herald, BY MATTHEW KELLY27 Oct, 2010 It is used to power jet engines, now the same principle of converting compressed air into energy will produce enough electricity for up to 200 houses.CSIRO’s energy centre at Mayfield West has become home to the southern hemisphere’s biggest Brayton cycle project, which uses only the sun and air to produce electricity. Continue reading
Renewable Energy Powered Desalination Plants
U.S. based Engineering For The Earth‘s Aeolus system require minimal wind speeds and can produce drinking water for communities of up to 500 people per unit. The only additional energy input required is for telemetry, which can be supplied via small solar panels.
Wind Powered Desalination With A Twist Renewable Energy News, 22 Oct 10, With potable water becoming an increasingly scarce resource in some countries, governments are turning to solutions such as desalination. An energy-intensive process, desalination has been made “greener” through the use of renewable energy. Continue reading
Uranium mining’s threats to Tanzania’s water, & economy
One environmental consequence of uranium mining is that the process uses enormous amounts of water…Water is already scarce there and it would be imprudent to let one company consume huge amounts of water at the expense of area inhabitants…..If global demand for uranium were
to decrease, the estimated value of these deposits would also drop. Therefore, it is unclear how much revenue uranium mining would really bring to Tanzania.
Take care that uranium mining turns into blessing, not curse, for Tanzania, Daily Nation By SHAABAN FUNDI, October 20 2010 Continue reading
Solar powered desalination plants – small or large
the team hopes scale up the size of the solar module for use in disaster zones and desert areas where climate change has impacted on water stocks.
BHP, Rio Tinto, drain Australia’s bore water – for free!
BHP, Rio Tinto, Pilbara Manganese, Fortescue Metals and Hamersley HMS were the thirstiest, collectively taking more than 345 billion litres of water last year….Bore users are not charged for the water…the drawing of water by bore users had dried up lake systems in Yanchep National Park.
- Bore users escape fines | Perth Now, By Narelle Towie, September 18, 2010 “………….the mining sector has been exposed as the biggest water guzzler in the state, according to the department’s annual report, which will be released at the end of the month. Continue reading
Uranium injustice – AREVA’s history in Niger
Besides alleged bribes made to Tuareg rebels, Areva was also criticised by several NGOs for polluting underground aquifers, aggravating a chronic water shortage, and exposing its employees to uranium contamination……..
Kidnapping comes as French nuclear giant Areva works on image, France24 , 17 Sept 10, The kidnapping of seven foreign nuclear employees in Niger comes as the French nuclear giant Areva is trying to improve its image in a region threatened by robbery, widespread resentment, and radical Islamism.”In nearly 40 years, Areva didn’t care at all for the locals. But in the last few years, Areva changed its strategy and started implementing development projects”, says Moussa Kaka, RFI’s correspondent in Niger. Continue reading
Independent M.P. Bob Katter’s views on Murray River and nuclear power
Katter dismisses Murray plight | Adelaide Now, MARK KENNY , The Advertiser. August 24, 2010 OUTSPOKEN independent Queensland MP Bob Katter has angrily dismissed concerns over the future of the Murray-Darling Basin, yesterday saying the vital river system was smaller than “just one of my rivers”……
SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young insists the environmental party would hold out strongly for the river, regardless of which side formed government….
Among other Greens policies is a commitment to close all uranium mines in Australia which, if enacted, would shatter the viability of the giant Olympic Dam copper, gold and uranium mine.
Rural people gain power – Weekly Times Now, 25 Aug 2010, “…….Mr Costar said Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott “seem to have Katter on a short leash” with regard to his plan for nuclear energy plants in Mt Isa …..
New report on uranium mining’s danger to water supply
(USA) Keep ban on Canyon uranium mines, THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, – Robert L. Arnberger, Aug. 24, 2010 Most of us are familiar with President Theodore Roosevelt’s oft-quoted statement upon visiting the Grand Canyon: “Leave it as it is . . . man can only mar it.” Continue reading
Uranium mining risk to Alice Springs water
Study into uranium impact on water ‘desperate’, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), By Anna Henderson, 20 Aug 2010, The Greens say Labor’s promise to investigate the effects of uranium mining on the Alice Springs water supply is a desperate bid to win back the environmental vote. Continue reading
Australia’s wave energy at Perth, Port Fairy, Port Kembla, San Remo, Moreton Bay
While Australia is home to world-class wave energy resources, there are no commercial scale ocean energy projects at an advanced stage of development.
Ocean power – Australia rides the waves EcoGeneration, Rachel Purchase, 4 August 2010 Water covers over 70 per cent of the Earth, and Australia is particularly lucky to be surrounded by a lot of it. However, the ocean power available down under remains a largely unharnessed resource. Continue reading
Detailed report on Europe’s Renewable Energy Policy
The report provides trends and information on renewable energy policies in Europe and analyzes some of the driving forces for the renewable energy sector
Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2010, GlobalData ReportStore, Jul-2010
GlobalData’s new report “Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2010” provides an in-depth analysis of the renewable policy initiatives in the European Union (EU) and the key countries in terms of strength of policy implementation. Continue reading
Climate and Energy Policy IS Water Policy
These key messages delivered and explained in new report, Protecting t
he Lifeline of the West: How Climate and Clean Energy Policies Can Safeguard Water,
(USA) In the West, Climate and Energy Policy Is Water Policy, Dan Grossm and Bart Miller, 19 July 2010, “………………scientists are concluding that the extended droughts of the past may become the norm of the future. So what should we do about this bleak situation? If we are serious about avoiding the biggest looming crisis of meeting the water needs of the West, we have to understand the energy-water connection and advance clean energy solutions. Continue reading
Navajo’s fight to save water from uranium mining
“They think in-situ mining will be done easily without contamination or accidents, but that is not the case.’
These wells are the sole source of drinking water for thousands of people that live in the area.”
Scientists Back Navajos’ Uranium Mining Fight: Tribe fears contamination of drinking water BRENDA NORRELL Indian Country 19 July 2010, RED ROCK, N.M. Continue reading
BHP and Olympic Dam uranium mining – beyond the laws
BHP Billiton’s power in Australia seems to grow daily.
BHP , Rio Tinto, Xstrata showed their power by intimidating Julia Gillard with the threat of renewing their $100 million advertising campaign. She had to act fast – hence the new, watered-down Resources Rent Tax.
Exempted from Australia’s planned new Resources Rent Tax, and with BHP people in its policy-making, along with their lackey, Martin Ferguson, BHP adds to its achievements in being beyond both Federal and State laws.
Water: In South Australia, BHP’s Olympic Dam uranium mining gets 37 million litres of water daily completely free of charge
SA Roxby Downs Indenture Act . This legislation allows the mine to operate with wide-ranging exemptions from:
Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act
Environment Protection Act
Natural Resources Act
Freedom of Information Act
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 