Uranium mining company fights on, – environment is irrelevant?
Miner prepares to fight Arkaroola ban, Adelaide Now, Business Reporter Russell Emmerson, August 10, 2011, MARATHON Resources is preparing for a fight over the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.The company said yesterday it had retained two top commercial law firms and senior counsel in South Australia and interstate to advise Marathon on its options relating to its Mt Gee uranium tenement and the loss of its right to explore and mine in the Sanctuary.
Premier Mike Rann late last month banned mining in Arkaroola despite Marathon holding an exploration licence for what it believes is Australia’s fifth-largest undeveloped uranium reserve.
Marathon Resources chairman Peter Williams yesterday said the company would decide its next move after seeking the advice…..
While the State Government may not have a legal obligation to compensate Marathon for its expenditure, it is likely to offer an “ex gratia” payment for political purposes.
It paid the three bidders for the State Government’s cancelled $557 million prisons project at Mobilong $3.5 million each in “good faith” to avoid being seen as a political risk and is likely to do more here to protect the state’s “pro-mining” reputation… http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/miner-prepares-to-fight-arkaroola-ban/story-fn6bqvxz-1226112001383
Olympic Dam uranium mine- South Australia’s answer to the Hutt River Province
The Principality of Hutt River lies within the geographic territory of Western Australia, but is not part of the State of Western Australia. It seceded from the State of Western Australia in 1959, and became, legally, an independent Sovereign state in 1971.
Within a month or two, BHP Billiton is well positioned
to achieve the same status for its Olympic Dam uranium mine in South Australia.
This will be helped along by BHP Billiton dictating policy to its servant, (just barely hangin’ on to his job) Premier Mike Rann.
BHP Billiton will “improve” on the 1982 Indenture Act which allows BHP to override the:
· Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988
· Development Act 1993
· Environmental Protection Act 1993
· Freedom of Information Act 1991
· Mining Act 1971
· Natural Resources Act 2004 (including the Water Resources Act 1997)
It is timely for Australians to rejoice in this new political entity? Time to make South African Marius Kloppers – Prince Marius? – Christina Macpherson
Alexander Downer’s plan for a radioactive South Australia
You’ve got to hand it to former Liberal MP Alexander Downer. In a week when everyone else is respectfully remembering the Japanese victims of Hiroshima and Fukushima, – or at least tactfully shutting up about Australia’s involvement in the nuclear industry there – Downer comes out with blatant marketing of the nuclear industry. – C.M.
Downer: Nuclear power makes cents – Alexander Downer, The Advertiser, August 01, 2011“…..we could build a nuclear power station. Just imagine replacing the Northern power station at Port Augusta with a nuclear power station which would be pollution free. The uranium would come from just up the road at Olympic Dam, it could be enriched at a new enrichment plant at, say, Whyalla, the waste could be stored at the world’s safest location for long-term storage, near Woomera…..
To me, it all makes perfect sense.
If we were really ambitious, we would use these facilities to make the world a safer place….”
Olympic Damn Uranium Mine – Premier Rann’s Toxic ECONOMIC Legacy?
BHP Billiton’s expanded Olympic Dam uranium mine – if it does eventuate – will leave a toxic radioactive legacy. But that’s not all. What about its economic legacy?
It’s going to cost a heap to get it started. They are going to need to move a million tonnes of rock per day for four years, that is, a billion tonnes of rock, just because of the overburden, because the ore body is far underground. So they are moving a million tonnes a day for four years before they even get to the ore body. This is going to cost $billions.
The energy cost, in drawing huge amounts of water from the proposed desalination plant in Spencer Gulf, will be massive.
All this – at a time when the market for uranium continues to slump, when nuclear power is becoming prohibitively expensive – seems like an economic folly.
South Australian Premier Rann initially rose to fame within the Labor party with a strong anti-uranium and anti-Roxby Downs push. But, once in power as Premier, he did a complete about face. Now Rann is poised to let BHP Billiton dictate the terms for the expansion of the mine.
This means renegotiating the Indenture Act 1982, which makes BHP Billiton exempt from the laws of the country. This legislation allows the mine to operate with wide-ranging exemptions from the Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act, the Environment Protection Act, the Natural Resources Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Mike Rann’s goal is to make Mike Rann look big in history – to be the one that gave BHP Billiton free rein with its big misguided adventure. He has to do this in a hurry, before his Labor colleagues give him the boot. Here’s hoping that more thoughtful minds in South Australian politics will see that he doesn’t get away with this.
Anti uranium, pro uranium – South Australian Premier ‘s personal ambitions
Premier Rann agrees to step down – but only after mine expansion, SMH, Phillip Coorey, August 1, 2011THE South Australian Labor Premier, Mike Rann, has agreed to quit but will not cut short a trade trip to India or stand down immediately as his party had demanded.
In a statement from Delhi, Mr Rann offered a compromise of a bloodless transition to his Education Minister, Jay Weatherill, but only after he had concluded some items of business, especially the expansion of the massive Olympic Dam uranium mine. Mr Rann made a name for himself decades ago as a political aide when he drove Labor’s opposition to uranium mining.…http://www.smh.com.au/national/premier-rann-agrees-to-step-down–but-only-after-mine-expansion-20110731-1i6il.html
BHP Billiton now in charge of South Australia’s uranium politics?
Roxby negotiations now hostage to ALP factional coup timeline, 01/08/11 The State Government has now handed over complete control of negotiations over the Olympic Dam expansion to BHP Billiton, say the Greens.“BHP Billiton can now dig their heels in and not give an inch on any aspect of the project knowing that the Premier and the Minister Foley are desperate for a deal before they are forced out,” said Greens Parliamentary leader Mark Parnell.
“The company isn’t in a hurry, but the Premier sure is. “What will happen now to previous commitments from the Government, such as processing in South Australia rather than China, and ensuring ‘world’s best practice in terms of the environment’ for the expansion?
“Will they be sacrificed in order to meet an artificial timeline set by the ALP back-room?” he asked.
BHP Billiton’s Premier Rann determined to promote uranium mining
Premier Rann to step down after nine years, Michelle Grattan and Ben Doherty, The Age, August 1, 2011 VETERAN South Australian leader Mike Rann has agreed to step down in favour of his more popular Education Minister as the party tries to fight its way back from bad opinion polls.
But he wants to complete ”several key projects” – most importantly the go-ahead for the expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine – and has not given a date for quitting.
………Mr Rann said he had decided that ”a seamless transition to a new leader was the most appropriate course”.But before he stepped down ”I intend to conclude negotiations with BHP Billiton over the indenture agreement that will allow the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine project to proceed.” The project was vitally important to future generations of South Australians. ”It is now at a critical and sensitive stage and it is important that the new leader is brought into this complex process.”
Premier Rann to step down after nine years
Poor uranium market puts Olympic Dam uranium mining future in doubt
BHP likely to stall Olympic Dam plans: report, Business Spectator, 28 Jul 2011 Analysts are predicting that BHP Billiton Ltd will delay uranium production at the Olympic Dam mine expansion in South Australia as a result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan and ensuing uncertainty about the future of nuclear energy, according to The Australian.
Olympic Dam, home to the world’s largest known uranium deposit, is scheduled to be expanded beginning next year as part of a $US20 billion-plus ($A18.4 billion) expansion that is subject to company and government approval.
However, plans to boost uranium production by a third from current levels may be halted as uranium demand continues to weaken in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster…..http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/BHP-likely-to-stall-Olympic-Dam-plans-report-pd20110727-K6QRR?OpenDocument&src=hp9
South Australia’s bright future for renewable energy jobs
Renewable Energy Jobs For South Australia, Renewable Energy News, by Energy Matters, 26 July 11 A visit by the federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet and South Australian Premier Mike Rann to a wind turbine tower manufacturing plant in suburban Adelaide has highlighted the economic benefits from growth in renewable energy in the state.
Mr Combet said the recently announced new Clean Energy Finance Corporation will play a vital role in unlocking significant new private investment into clean energy projects and may include assistance for businesses manufacturing components for clean energy projects…..
South Australia to ban uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Premier Mike Rann announces permanent protection for Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Herald Sun, By Greg Kelton and Sarah Martin , July 22, 2011 ARKAROOLA will be protected for all time from mining, South Australia Premier Mike Rann has announced during a visit to the wilderness sanctuary. Continue reading
A new variation on pro nuclear spin – from Flinders University
Check out the inflammatory heading and language in the item below. It’s no surprise that Professor Sykes’research is funded by the USA Departmnet of Energy (DOE) – a body that is wedded to nuclear power.
From Prof Sykes we learn how irrational we are, how we panicked, in our ignorance, being worried about low dose radiation. Why it prevents cancer!
She goes on to tell us that there is no leaukaemia,no solid cancers, no birth defects caused by low level Chernobyl radiation, (well they have a long lead time, new cases can be expected from 25 years on). She sheds doubt on the thyroid cancer cases. And goes on to enthuse about how low level radiation benefits diabetes and arteriosclerosis.
My oh my – no wonder the DOE wants to fund Prof Sykes’research!. – Christina Macpherson
Radiation response a meltdown in reason, Health Canal 14 July 11, The possibility that low doses of radiation may prevent or delay the progression of cancer is being explored by a Flinders University research team led by Professor Pam Sykes in a move that runs counter to the widely held perception that exposure to any radiation is harmful.
Professor Sykes, recently appointed to the University’s Strategic Professorship in Preventive Cancer Biology in the Flinders Centre for Cancer Prevention and Control says the public panic in responseto nuclear accidents such as that at Fukushima in Japan is the result of a general ignorance about radiation…..
http://www.healthcanal.com/cancers/18880-Radiation-response-meltdown-reason.html
Australian Labor Party strongly opposes nuclear power
Labor ‘not split on nuclear’. ABC News, July 13, 2011 , A South Australian Federal Minister says the Labor Party is strongly opposed to nuclear energy in Australia despite the pro-nuclear stance of some of its members.
In March, the state’s former Deputy Premier Kevin Foley backed a suggestion by Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis that uranium be enriched in Australia.
But Federal Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, says advocates of nuclear energy within the party should consider whether they would like to live near a reactor.
“I would ask that of anyone who floats nuclear energy, whether they’re members of the South Australian Labor Party or the South Australian Liberal Party,” he said. “The national platform is crystal clear. We do not support nuclear energy as an option for Australia.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-13/labor-nuclear/2793474
Australia’s top hypocrite? Uranium prince Mike Rann
Today, South Australia’s Premier Mike Rann, is reported in The Advertiser – “a well-placed party source said the Premier was “just trying to limp through until next March when he can sign off on the Olympic Dam expansion as his grand legacy, and then he’ll quit”. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/from-media-mike-to-mr-invisible-the-premiers-new-style/story-e6frea83-1226077387415
In 1982, Mike Rann, evidently always driven by personal ambition, , wrote “Play it Safe”, a pamphlet released by the ALP to explain its opposition to uranium mining.
But that was before he saw the light – the light of where he could get influential backing to become important. Soon, Rann was pushing for ALP policy change on uranium mining – calling uranium “the fuel of the future”. But Rann did make one concession to anti-uranium feeling amongst wealthy consituents, opposing uranium mining in the Fleurieu Peninsula .
Otherwise – it’s been “All The Way ” with the Nuclear Lobby – for our top hypocrite, Mike Rann. – Christina Macpherson
BHP Billiton’s huge free water extraction from Great Artesian Basin, for Olympic Dam uranium mine
Save the Great Artesian Basin From Olympic Dam Uranium Mine, Save the Basin, 10 June 11 THE BLOGGER IS A BHP BILLITON SHAREHOLDER. On 13 May 2011 the company announced a proposal for six-fold expansion of Olympic Dam Mine in South Australia – to extract the most valuable single mineral deposit in the world. The mine will consume up to 42 million litres of water a day from the Great Artesian Basin for plus 40 years.
THAT USE OF THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN BY THAT MINE IS THE ISSUE WHICH THIS BLOG ADDRESSES.
The justification by BHP Billition for its ongoing demand on the Great Artesian Basin is set out at 4.3.4 of Chapter 4 of the company’s Final Proposal published on 13 May, 2011. …
…The company does intend to increase GAB extraction by 9 million litres a day as part of the mine expansion – to that extent therefore the reference in the second paragraph to “…significant improvements in water use efficiency…” is deceptive. Not a drop of the “significant improvements in water use efficiency” is offset against GAB demand by the mine……
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The protection of the GAB from the expanded Olympic Dam Mine can be achieved through the Approval Process that is now in the hands of the Federal and South Australian Governments – in the form of the Conditions of Consent imposed on the company through the Approval Process.
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This issue should now be brought to the attention of every Member of the Federal and South Australian Parliaments. Readers of this blog may consider passing on the details of this site to your own Member(s) of those Parliaments. Or contact the relevant State/Federal Minister – see ‘USEFUL CONTACTS’ on this site).IN BHP’s VIDEO PRESENTATION THERE IS NOT A SINGLE REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT OLYMPIC DAM WILL TAKE UP TO 42 MILLION LITRES OF WATER A DAY FROM THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN EVERY DAY FOR THE LIFE OF THE EXPANDED MINE (MORE THAN 40 YEARS). http://www.savethebasin.com/
South Australia’s Legislative Council votes to protect Arkaroola from uranium mining
SA Upper House votes for permanent Arkaroola protection, Australian Conservation Foundation, 9 June 11, The SA Upper House has tonight passed a Greens motion calling on the SA Government to permanently protect the mountains of Arkaroola from mining.
This is the first time, after three previous attempts, that either chamber of the SA Parliament has voted in favour of protecting the iconic Arkaroola Wilderness sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
Greens Parliamentary leader Mark Parnell, who moved the motion, said he was delighted it had passed.
“It’s clear that the Rann Government must now act to permanently protect this iconic part of South Australia.
“No longer can they ignore the overwhelming support in the South Australian community. I strongly urge them to get on with the task,” he said. Continue reading
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