Slowdown in BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam expansion plans
BHP May Consider Phased Olympic Dam Mine Expansion, Review Says By Jacob Greber Sept. 28 (Bloomberg) — BHP Billiton Ltd. told analysts it’s considering a revised expansion of its Olympic Dam copper- uranium mine in South Australia, the Australian Financial Review said. The company is considering a phased expansion, resulting in a slower increase in production than originally anticipated, the newspaper reported, without saying where it got the information. BHP May Consider Phased Olympic Dam Mine Expansion, Review Says – BusinessWeek
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
Australian uranium company pulls out of Niger
Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid, Fri Sep 24, 2010 SYDNEY, Sept 24 (Reuters) – Australia-based uranium miner Paladin Energy is to drop its A$27 million ($26 million) bid for NGM Resources (NGM.AX: Quote), it said on Friday, citing worries that kidnappings in west Africa would hamper NGM’s exploration work in the region. Niger kidnappings puts Paladin Energy off NGM bid | Metals & Mining | Reuters
Australia’s uranium industry – not much appeal for investors
A quick trawl through the uranium listed companies reveals that many have gone very quiet.
All quiet on the uranium front The Australian September 23, ANYONE else think the uranium sector has gone – if not deathly quiet – then pretty damned subdued? Continue reading
Renewable energy growth best for South africa
The report: South African Energy Sector Jobs to 2030, prepared for Greenpeace Africa by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia, and authored by Jay Rutovitz, examined three different energy growth scenarios…..
(South Africa) Renewable energy offers more jobs than coal | West Cape News, 24 Sept 10, Focussing on renewable energy initiatives would not only make South Africa more energy secure, it would create more jobs than alternative coal dependent scenarios and save hundreds of billions of rands over the long term. Continue reading
Long term uranium market not looking good
“There are a lot of projects on the drawing board that will have trouble getting into production or will be delayed”…we will probably need to see stronger prices.”…..
The “long-term” price “is really the more important indicator when it comes to supporting new project development, rather than the spot price,
Uranium Miners Need 25% Price Advance for Expansion Incentive, Rio Says, Bloomberg, By Anna Stablum – Sep 23, 2010 Uranium must rise 25 percent to give mining companies an incentive to start or expand projects Continue reading
Another annual loss for uranium explorer Toro Energy
the result included a $13.95 million non-cash impairment resulting from decisions to cease exploration activities over 16 tenements……..
Toro posts $16m loss, writes down $13m, Sydney Morning Herald, September 16, 2010 Uranium explorer Toro Energy Ltd has reported a full year net loss, but says it is making progress to start construction of its Wiluna mine in WA in 2012. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson represents uranium lobby, not Australian public
Mr Ferguson’s determination to override environmental processes had him putting investors ahead of the Australian public. “These processes catch not just risks to the environment but risks during transport, to public health, occupational health and safety, and heritage,” …
“The minister is quite brazenly telling the market these things will be shouldered aside.”
Uranium push at environment’s expense, Sydney Morning Herald, September 22, 2010 Continue reading
Muckaty nuclear waste dump plan – a bad idea that now might fail
The legislation for the dump, which would solve Australia’s waste storage problem to the detriment of some traditional owners who oppose the Northern Territory development, must now pass a trickier Lower House.
Greens hit back at Govt uranium plans | Perth Now September 22, 2010“.….conservationists are pleased they have bought more time on the controversial Muckaty waste dump. Continue reading
International Catholic group condemns Australia’s Aboriginal Intervention
“The Intervention has taken control of the lives of Aboriginal peoples through such measures as compulsory income management and compulsory acquisition of leases over Aboriginal land.
“The Labor Government has continued the Intervention which remains a blight on Australia’s reputation.”
Territory shame The Catholic Leader: : 23 September 2010 By: Paul Dobbyn AUSTRALIA’S “shameful treatment” of indigenous people in remote Northern Territory communities has been exposed during a six-day fact-finding mission by local and international visitors, a prominent Aboriginal Catholic leader has said. Continue reading
Silex Systems: Nuclear company involved in Mildura solar plant
“It will build on Silex’s large-scale demonstration photovoltaic solar project planned for near Mildura which is being supported by a $50 million government grant.”
Mildura’s $100m solar project – Weekly Times Now, Andrew Mole | September 22, 2010 “…..The city which brags about having more sunshine than Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will now be home to Australia’s largest solar power station. Continue reading
Australian govt in the grip of uranium industry
Mining tax policy overseers – Don Argus (from BHP Billiton), Keith Spence, (from Rio Tinto) , Toro Energy Erica Smyth, (from Toro Energy).
Climate adviser – Marius Kloppers (BHP Billiton)
Minister for Energy Martin Ferguson – hand in glove with uranium industry
Minister for Climate Change – Greg Combet, coal engineer background, supporter of coal industry
Marius Kloppers – Australia’s new Climate Change Minister?
described Kloppers as the climate change minister who wasn’t voted in by the public.
Kloppers under fire, The Age, September 22, 2010 AN ONLINE entrepreneur has accused the federal government of kowtowing to the boss of Australia’s biggest company. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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