Grandiose tower for grandiose BHP and its biggest uranium mine in the world
discussions between major developers and BHP about a new $250m office tower in Currie Street, for which the company would have naming rights….
BHP plans office tower linked to Olympic Dam expansion, BY:MICHAEL OWEN:The Australian March 09, 2012 BHP Billiton is looking at teaming with a major developer to build a new office tower in Adelaide ahead of the planned expansion of its Olympic Dam mine in the far north of South Australia.
It is understood BHP is in talks with several developers and construction companies about a new office tower that could be worth up to $250 million.
The high-rise development, potentially slated for Currie Street, in Adelaide’s CBD, would provide the company with a significant visible presence as it launches a mammoth project with an estimated mine life of more than 100 years. Continue reading
Doubts over whether or not BHP’s new big Olympic Dam uranium mine will go ahead
Reuters report on mining conference in Canada Mar 6, 2012 By Euan Rocha TORONTO, March 6 – The Anglo-Australia mining giant, which already operates an underground mine at the site, has yet to sign off on the budget for
the open pit…. but BHP may opt to delay taking on the heavy financial burden that could easily be in the $10 billion to $20 billion range…..
…. PDAC, the mining industry’s largest annual gathering. The convention, organized by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, opened in Toronto on Sunday.
Even though Olympic Dam, located 550 km (345 miles) north of Adelaide, is one of BHP’s biggest growth prospects, the cost of
digging the massive pit may prove prohibitive.
Last month the company reported a profit decline, and it struck a cautious tone on its expectations for growth in China, one of its
biggest markets. That has led some to speculate that the miner may delay spending on capital-intensive projects such as Olympic Dam and the Jansen potash project in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
In late 2011, BHP finalized state approvals to begin construction work on the open-pit phase of the Olympic Dam project, but the agreement would lapse around December if BHP delays its decision on proceeding.
“We want to see a board decision before the end of the year about substantial works beginning. If not, the approvals run out and BHP know this,” said Tom Koutsantonis, minister for mineral resources and energy for the state of South Australia.” I’m not in the business, and no government should be in the business, of allowing anyone to have massive tenements that they don’t develop …”-
A spokesman for BHP declined to comment on the remarks.
MASSIVE SCALE The sheer scale of the open-pit project is formidable. BHP will have to shovel rock for five to seven years before it reaches the Olympic Dam ore body, discovered in the mid-1970s…..
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/06/canada-mining-pdac-olympicdam-idUSL2E8E60E220120306
South Australia happy to flog off uranium – but says nuclear power’s no good
Uranium industry in major turnaround, Adelaide Now by: TIM DORNIN AAP February 29, 2012 AUSTRALIA has no need for nuclear power and no licence from society to develop it, South Australian Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis says.
The minister says he fully supports uranium mining in SA but not nuclear power. “The truth is, you need a social licence to operate, and there is not a social licence for nuclear power,” Mr Koutsantonis told a uranium
conference.
“The Australian public don’t want it. “I don’t think it’s economic, I don’t think it’s viable, and I don’t think it’s politically saleable.”
Adelaide uranium conference disrupted by anti nuclear protestors
Protesters disrupt uranium conference THE AUSTRALIAN AAP February 28, 2012 ANTI-NUCLEAR protesters have disrupted a uranium conference in Adelaide, with the small group calling for a halt to uranium mining.
A lone protester wearing white protective overalls and a mask stood at the back of the Paydirt conference during opening speeches today and called for SA’s uranium to be left in the ground. He said South Australians did not want the waste generated by uranium mining. Several others joined him chanting similar slogans before being
removed as SA Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis completed his address.
Mr Koutsantonis said the State Government strongly supported the development of the state’s uranium resources, including the world’s largest deposit at Olympic Dam. But he also maintained the Government’s decision to ban all
exploration, including the search for uranium, in the environmentally sensitive Arkaroola Sanctuary in the Flinders Rangers was the right one….
… If we had not banned mining in Arkaroola, I think this room would have been full of young protesters,” Mr Koutsantonis said. “I think we would have galvanised a whole generation against uranium mining.”
Historic day as Arkaroola finally gets permanent protection
The Upper House of State Parliament has just passed a Bill to permanently protect from mining the iconic mountains of Arkaroola in the State’s far North. The legal protection is the culmination of a long-running community and Greens campaign to ensure this magnificent part of our State is no longer threatened by damaging mining activity.
“This is a wonderful, historic day,” said Greens Parliamentary leader Mark Parnell. “It’s taken a long time, but finally a law has been passed that ensures the permanent protection of the world famous mountains of Arkaroola.
“If a future Government wants to let the miners back in they will have to over-turn this Act of Parliament. I am totally confident that this will never happen. “It is wonderful that all sides of politics have finally accepted what the Greens have been arguing all along: that some places are simply too precious to mine,” he said.
In passing the Bill, the Greens moved 2 successful amendments to ensure appropriate consultation with the traditional owners from the Adnyamathanha people over the management of the land. “As this is such an important piece of legislation, it is vital we get it right and ensure that all traditional owners have a say in how Arkaroola will be managed,” said Mr Parnell.
“The Greens have been very proud to stand alongside the Sprigg Family, Adnyamathanha Elders and the many passionate environmental and heritage campaigners from across the state and across the world who have fought to protect this precious place.“They can all be very proud of what they have achieved,” he said.
Olympic Dam uranium mine at risk from earthquakes
from our Seismology Watcher, 28 feb 12, Australian Yet another timely warning for Quarry Australia following seismologist, Edward Cranswick’s peer-reviewed paper on the 35-km-long, steeply dipping Mashers Fault which passes through the middle of the Olympic Dam ore body. The fault length implies an earthquake of maximum about 7.
An observation by Cranswick is that censoring of Australian lists of earthquakes and their corresponding source parameters, (i.e., time, location, depth, magnitude) has taken place.
Cranswick, who investigated earthquakes for the US Geological Survey for 22 years, suggests that the connection between mining and sesmicity (earthquakes) is obscured in Australia particularly the seismic hazard of the OD project in SA. Seemingly, BHP’s proposed expansion and potential radioactive fall-out at the Olympic Dam project in the event of a “natural” catastrophe reveals scant regard for public health and safety. However, there is nothing like an outraged Momma Nature (whose **se is being chewed by the mining industry) to make an ecocidal event, a grim reality.
Cranswick also makes reference to the Barrick/Newmont super pit and its connection to the unprecedented 5.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the stable continental region of Kalgoorlie/Boulder in April 2010. And what a pitiful mess that made of the historic buildings in the main street of Boulder which is about a kilometre from the super pit.
En garde my fellow Australians, asleep at the wheel.
South Australian government framed laws for BHP Billiton’s uranium mining, not for the people
Commercial vested interests of uranium mining companies are writing the script for Australia’s uranium sales deals under both Liberal and now ALP federal governments…….
South Australia should come to its senses and recognise our society’s responsibilities to get out of the uranium trade and not be made complicit in nuclear risks for BHP Billiton’s vested interests.
Our uranium fuelled Fukushima, David Noonan, The Guardian, 22 Feb 12 “……..How did the SA government perform in exercising their responsibilities after Fukushima? Indigenous people bear a disproportionate burden of impacts from uranium mining and this will certainly continue to be the case in SA
under the Roxby Indenture deal “negotiated” by the state with BHP Billiton that is being pushed through Parliament with bi-partisan support.
BHP Billiton is not bound by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 in the “Stuart Shelf Area” of some 1.5 percent of the area of SA around the Olympic Dam mine.
Aboriginal heritage obligations that apply to every other miner or developer do not apply to the Big Australian for the 70-year extended period of the Roxby Indenture, and the state further agreed that this can only be changed in future with the agreement of the company. Continue reading
South Australia, the Uranium State, moves further away from clean energy
Labor pulls plug on energy role, by:Belinda Willis , The Advertiser , February 21, 2012 THE State Government has ended Renewable Energy Commissioner Tim O’Loughlin’s position more than a year before his contract was due to expire. Mr O’Loughlin was appointed in mid-2009 with some fanfare by then Premier Mike Rann. His contract was meant to run until 2013.
A spokesman for Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said he would not be replaced. Yesterday’s Budget and Finance select committee heard Mr O’Loughlin’s job ends about 18 months short of his contract by “mutual agreement”, and that there had been a payout……
The move follows a budget decision late last year to scrap the $11.7 million remaining in the $20 million Renewable Energy Fund. This fund was overseen by RenewablesSA, and industry said there were now no state funding support avenues available for renewable energy.
The South Australian branch of the Australian Solar Energy Society and the Australian Geothermal Energy Association have raised concerns that the State Government had lost interest in renewable energy.
“It makes a complete mockery of the fact that in the last week of Rann being premier, he released a new renewable statement for South Australia,” said Mr Marshall. “It’s clear the new Premier has no interest in this sector whatsoever.” http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/labor-pulls-plug-on-energy-role/story-e6frede3-1226276364284
Toro Energy sells out of uneconomic Mt Woods uranium project
Toro Energy: shareholders accept termination terms for Mt Woods uranium project Proactive Investors, , February 14, 2012 by John Phillips Toro Energy (ASX: TOE) has updated the market on the Mt Woods uranium project.
Toro said that shareholders have voted to accept the terms of a termination agreement for the company’s involvement in the Mount Woods uranium project in South Australia….. OZ Minerals has conducted major exploration programs at Mt Woods and, despite extensive drilling campaigns, no potentially economic uranium results have been reported
from the project.
South Australian govt gives uranium company $5 million compensation
SA to compensate Marathon for mining ban, 9 News, 13 Feb 12, Marathon Resources has accepted $5 million in compensation after its hopes of one day mining uranium at Mount Gee were dashed by a proposed ban on mining at the environmentally sensitive Arkaroola area.
The minerals explorer says it is dropping its civil law suit against the South Australian government because months of negotiation had resulted in the goodwill compensation for the ban on exploration and mining at Arkaroola in the northern Flinders Ranges.
The company had its licence to explore a deposit at Mt Gee, one of Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits, renewed before the ban was announced in July 2011.
The plan, still before state parliament, would exclude the Arkaroola area from South Australia’s Mining Act, provide legislated protection for the sanctuary and have it nominated for world heritage listing….
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8418443/sa-to-compensate-marathon-for-mining-ban
BHP might sell Yeelirie uranium project. Fortescue to join Big Uranium Boys
BHP tipped to sell $9.3b worth of assets SMH February 9, 2012 BHP Billiton may consider selling about $US10 billion ($9.3 billion) of aluminum, nickel and coal mines and smelters as it trims its portfolio, Deutsche Bank says….
BHP could also sell its Yeelirrie uranium project in Australia and some petroleum assets, Citigroup said today in a report.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/bhp-tipped-to-sell-93b-worth-of-assets-20120209-1rnn0.html#ixzz1lucfhUlg
FMG pegs swathes of new tenements in major SA copper, gold and uranium districts by: Nick Evans PerthNow, February 07, 2012 FORTESCUE Metals Group has given the clearest sign yet it intends to diversify out of the iron ore and steel supply chain, pegging swathes of new tenements in South Australia’s major copper, gold and uranium districts.
The WA iron ore giant last year applied for 10 exploration licences covering about 4600sq/km of ground, mostly in the Woomera protected area in central South Australia. In its tenement applications, FMG said it was looking for copper, gold
and uranium – a significant departure from its current iron ore business.
According SA Government records, the bulk of FMG’s new tenements sit between OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill copper-gold mine and BHP Billiton’s massive Olympic Dam project, slated to eventually become one of the biggest copper, gold and uranium mines in the world. …. http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/fmg-pegs-swathes-of-new-tenements-in-major-sa-copper-gold-and-uranium-districts/story-e6frg2qc-1226265102556
Australia’s Family First Party jumps on the anti wind power bandwagon
Better coordination urged in wind farm fight, ABC News, January 23, 2012 The Family First Party says a state-wide group is needed to tackle wind farm developments. A number of groups have been formed to oppose wind farms in various regions, including Keyneton near the Barossa Valley.
The party’s Rob Brokenshire says a more coordinated approach will be discussed at a forthcoming meeting. “The Government and those that are pro-wind farm at all costs want to brand them in a certain name but I won’t accept that,” he said… Mr Brokenshire says he is organising a meeting for early next month.
“One of the main items of the meeting is the concept of forming a state-wide group that looks at the big picture of the impact from wind farms on rural and regional people,” he said…. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-23/better-coordination-urged-in-wind-farm-fight/3787778
South Australian Government lackey of mining interests in legal action against Aborigines
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO APPEAL MINING BAN, Australian Mining By Andrew Duffy on 18 January 2012 South Australia’s Attorney General John Rau is appealing a decision by the state’s Supreme Court to block development of an exploration lease held by Argonaut Resources.
On Friday the court ruled exploration at the Lake Torrens tenement could not go ahead after an Aboriginal Heritage Site Card was lodged over the area. The court ruled the development had denied procedural fairness to the traditional owners, the Kohatha Wati and Adnyamathanha people.
According to Adelaide Now Rau has decided to appeal the decision on advice from Crown Law…..
the decision was a worrying sign for the SA mining industry, and allowed Government to “veto exploration and mining activities” on land where traditional ownership could be asserted…. http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/attorney-general-to-appeal-mining-ban
The case for new thinking on Aboriginal land rights, and for a Treaty
Adelaide land crime shows why we need a treaty Eureka Street, JOHN BARTLETT JANUARY 17, 2012 Recently attention has been focused on the legal documents that underpinned the establishment of the Province of South Australia in 1836, and how the state’s founding impacted the original inhabitants. These documents appear to prove the land was acquired illegally.
Chief among these is the Letters Patent signed by King William IV in 1836 that made white settlement conditional on the following principle:
That nothing in those Letters Patent shall affect or be construed to affect the rights of any Aboriginal Natives of the said province to the actual occupation or enjoyment, in their own persons or in the persons of their descendants, of any land therein now actually occupied or enjoyed by such Natives.
The legal implications of such a document turn the establishment of South Australia into a testing ground for Indigenous rights Australia-wide. So far the tone of this discussion has been very muted.
Sean Berg, who practises Intellectual Property Law in South Australia, has shone light on other documents that raise new possibilities for rethinking Indigenous land rights in this country….. These potentially incendiary issues have been aired in 
a book edited by Berg,Coming to Terms: Aboriginal Title in South Australia….. No matter how extensive or generous any government program to tackle Indigenous inequality, it will mean little unless Indigenous people are first treated as a sovereign nation with independent rights. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=29317
South Australia’s Supreme Court rules in favour of Aboriginal landowners
Mining exploration on indigenous land blocked , WA News. com.yu 15 Jan 12,AN exploration venture in South Australia’s north has been blocked by a court ruling in favour of the land’s traditional owners. Argonaut Resources and its joint venture partners, Straits Resources Ltd, were planning to start drilling for copper, gold and iron-oxide in parts of Lake Torrens and Andamooka Island.
The companies had been given ministerial approval to access the area, which is part of the traditional lands of the the Kokatha Wati and Adnyamathantha people.
But the South Australian Supreme Court has overturned that approval, ruling that the traditional owners were denied procedural fairness in not being properly consulted.
The court also found problems with the nature of the approval, ruling that Straits did not actually hold any exploration rights but that they were held by another company……
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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