The Australian government wants to overrule Northern Territory on nuclear waste dump
The Australian government debates the ACT’s Euthanasia bill. The debate seems to be all about euthanasia. But actually – not so. This debate is about the rights of the ACT”s democratic government to make its laws – or whether the Federal government can overrule them.
This looks like a precursor to the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill, where the same issue will arise, regarding the Northern Territory. Perhaps that’s why we can expect that the Australian Government will not weaken on its over-riding of the ACT’s Euthanasia law.
If the y did weaken, well it might set a precedent that would inconvenience the nuclear/uranium lobby
Northern Territory govt opposes Cameco’s planned uranium mine at Alice Springs
uranium mining activities near the springs could potentially contaminate the area’s underground water reservoir.
NT govt declares opposition on planned Cameco uranium site in Alice Springs, International Business Times, By Ricky Roxas, 28 Sept 10, The Northern Territory government said on Tuesday that it would block any plans of establishing a uranium mine site in the area following revelations that Cameco Corporation is mulling an exploration project on the Angela Pamela deposit near Alice Springs….. Continue reading
Anti nuclear movement on track to topple German government
the German federal government’s own Advisory Council on the Environment stated that “By 2050, Germany’s energy needs can be supplied 100% through electricity derived from renewable energy sources,”…”the federal government must set the course for the conversion of the energy system now.”
Germany’s Burgeoning Anti-Nuclear Movement Promises to Derail Merkel’s Energy Policy, THE HUFFUNGTON POST, Tina Gerhardt, 28 Sept 10, Merkel’s decision has reignited Germany’s anti-nuclear movement. Continue reading
French nuclear company AREVA pushing uranium in Koongarra
it is AREVA that is pushing very hard for access to the rich Koongarra uranium deposit in the Northern Territory….Australia is already at the centre of the new global nuclear debate.
The French Connection | Hybrid Auto Review – Hybrid Cars, 26 Sept 10, The Herald has an article up about the vultures circling prospective Australian uranium mines – in this particular case the French nuclear industry, Continue reading
Security situation deteriorating in AREVA’s Niger uranium mines
the security situation in the Arlit region — where Areva runs uranium mines and where the five French nationals, a Togolese and a Madagascan were kidnapped by Al-Qaeda linked militants — was deteriorating.
Hostage crisis: French nuclear boss heads to Niger, Google hosted news, (AFP) – 28 Sept 10, PARIS — The chairwoman of French state-owned nuclear giant Areva is to visit the firm’s operation in Niger, the company said Monday, after Al-Qaeda militants kidnapped several of her employees there.” Continue reading
Australia’s political leaders “timid” on energy debate
Greenpeace International executive director Gerd Leipold told The Australian that he was surprised at the timidity of debate in Australia about energy supply, which has seen Liberal and Labor leaders support a renewed focus on nuclear power
Enthusiasm For Nuclear Power Cooling | Hybrid Auto News – September 27th, 2010 “………If nuclear energy supplied 75 per cent of the world’s electricity, it would result in only a 25 per cent reduction in harmful carbon emissions, the global head of Greenpeace has warned. Continue reading
Stuxner computer worm targeted Iran’s uranium enrichment plant
the worm that has infected Iranian nuclear computers was meant to sabotage the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz
‘Computer virus in Iran actually targeted larger nuclear facility’. Haaretz Daily Newspaper By Yossi Melman, 28 Sept 10,New analysis, based on the characteristic behavior of the Stuxnet worm, contradicts earlier assessments that the target was the nuclear reactor at Bushehr. Continue reading
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
Uranium mining becoming dangerous, in Africa
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
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
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 