Cameco’s planned uranium mine a risk to Alice Springs’ water supply
“Now if the tailing’s dam were to burst here at Angela-Pamela, radioactive water would run downhill from the mine towards our future water bore at a place called rocky hill.
“The radioactive water would contaminate our water through surface recharge,”
Ranger problems cause a stir in Alice Springs ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 28 May 2010, An overflow of contaminated water at the Ranger Uranium mine has prompted an environment group in Alice Springs to again speak out against a possible mine in Central Australia. Energy Resources of Australia operates the Ranger mine, which is surrounded by Kakadu National Park. The Greens say there have been 150 reported leaks from the mine since it opened and ERA should be forced to conduct continuous monitoring.
Cameco is leading a joint venture project exploring for uranium at its Angela Pamela project, 25 km south of Alice Springs.
Jess Abrahams from the Arid Lands Environment Centre says the project would be too close to the towns future drinking water supply.
“Now if the tailing’s dam were to burst here at Angela-Pamela, radioactive water would run downhill from the mine towards our future water bore at a place called rocky hill.
“The radioactive water would contaminate our water through surface recharge,” said Ms Abrahams.
Cameco says if it cannot protect the town’s drinking water, it will not mine the uranium.
It says any Environmental Impact Statement would consider all environmental, social and economic impacts. Ranger problems cause a stir in Alice Springs – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Ranger uranium mine water poorly monitored
Review: Kakadu, Israel’s nukes, UK’s muddle
Australia: Doubts on the future of uranium mining are really the result of the financial crisis in Europe. Still BHP, ERA etc grasp the opportunity to blame the Australian govt’s proposed new resources profit tax. BHP plans transporting uranium through W.A. towns. ERA’s uranium mine leaking into Kakadu National Park. Women peace walkers ,- part of Footprints For Peace International, arrive in Canberra. Lucas Heights about to close down old nuclear reactor.
International: Israel in awkward double standards over nuclear weapons. USA’s far right pushing for hawkish nuclear policy. World uranium stockpiling up, as its market in the doldrums. UK’s nuclear policy in a muddle. Marshall Islanders to be sent back to polluted islands.Native Americans fighting new uranium mining. Conflict of interest in USA’s Radiation Health Study
Uranium mine’s radioactive leak raises doubts on Cameco’s planned mine close to Alice Springs
No clean water, no Alice Springs. Is a uranium mine worth the risk? Judging by the experience of the Mirrar people in Kakadu — no way.
Kakadu’s tainted water is a no-go for Alice Springs, The Age, Jess Abrahams, Arid Lands Environment Centre, Alice Springs, 25 May 2010, URANIUM mining is not a safe or sustainable industry for Australia.The Ranger mine is meant to epitomise world’s best practice.But a poorly engineered dam apparently collapsed, spilling 6 million litres of radioactive water into the Gulungul Creek, which flows into Kakadu. Is this the best the uranium mining industry can manage?
Here in Alice Springs, Canadian company Cameco wants to dig a uranium mine at Angela Pamela, just over 10 kilometres from the southern outskirts of town. Continue reading
Uranium mining radioactively pollutes Kakadu National Park
Mine fears grow as pollutants flow to Kakadu, Sydney Morning Herald, LINDSAY MURDOCH May 24, 2010
MILLIONS of litres of radioactive water from the Ranger uranium mine have flowed into internationally acclaimed and World Heritage-listed wetlands in Kakadu National Park. Continue reading
Navajo to fight uranium mining expansion
[Uranium mining] left New Mexico with a devastating legacy of sick communities—including high rates of cancers, respiratory diseases, reproductive disorders and miscarriages. They also left contaminated water, soil, and air.
Navajo to Protest Uranium Mining Expansion, Censored News, May 20, 2010 On May 25-27 a delegation of Navajo community leaders will come to Denver to protest US Government support for expanding the nuclear industry that has already had a devastating impact on Native American and Chicano communities in New Mexico.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Mining Association will host a “Uranium Recovery” conference designed to make it easier for mining companies to move forward with a new era of uranium mining. Continue reading
Tribal women aim to prevent uranium mining in Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon uranium threatens tribal water, High Country News, Caitlin Sislin | May 18, 2010 Last week, a delegation of leaders from Arizona’s Havasupai Tribe traveled to Washington D.C., to advocate for the protection of the Grand Canyon region from a potential onslaught of uranium extraction activities.
These four women – tribal council members and traditional elders – voiced their concern for the safety of the land, the purity of the water and the health of the community, and called for the passage of the Grand Canyon Watershed Protection Act (H.R. 644). Introduced in 2009 by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) this law would ban mineral exploration and the establishment of new mining claims pursuant to the 1872 Mining Law, on about one million acres of public lands surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. Continue reading
Review: Nuke waste resisted, Radiation and Breast Cancer
Australia: Muckaty Aboriginal owners take their fight internationally. To public outcry, Paul Howes pushes for uranium mining in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Martin Ferguson manages to avoid supporting real progress in renewable energy. Tony Abbott promises to slow renewable energy. Calls to phase out Victoria’s brown coal, and move to job intensive renewables.
International: Renewed concern over special cancer dangers for women and the young, from ionising radiation. Water issues threaten nuclear industry’s future. UK’s new govt raises doubts on new nuclear. Iran does uranium swap deal with Turkey. Cannes film festival launches “Countdown to Zero”. Indian community action stops uranium mining in National Park.
Nuclear power a “no-go” in a water-short world
“The best alternatives from a water perspective are wind and photovoltaics, that require effectively no water”
Water Adds New Constraints to Power, NYTimes.com By ERICA GIES May 17, 2010 “……In the United States, thermoelectric power generation — mainly coal, nuclear and natural gas — accounted for 41 percent of U.S. freshwater withdrawals in 2005, U.S. Geological Society data show………..
But there is a growing awareness in California and throughout the United States that the use of water for energy generation may be reaching its limits. Continue reading
Mothers against uranium mining
Lila Watson, Australian aboriginal leader, said: “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”………
A Mother’s Day Call to Protect the Earth, Care 2, 9 May 2010, Our team of eight dynamic women – legal, policy, and business experts -convened in Elko, Nevada, to begin our journey……….. Finally, we traveled to the magnificent Grand Canyon, where Havasupai leader Carletta Tilousi explained the grave threat of uranium mining to the tribe’s sacred Red Butte mountain, to the community’s health, and to the safety of the regional aquifer. Continue reading
AREVA’s radioactive water contamination in Niger
VIDEOLeft in the Dust – Areva’s uranium mining in Niger | Greenpeace International
Left in the Dust – Areva’s uranium mining in Niger | Greenpeace International 6 May 2010, Operations of Nuclear giant AREVA put lives at risk in Niger Uranium mines in Niger operated by the state-owned French nuclear giant AREVA continue to create a radioactive hazard for the people living nearby.
A new report released today by Greenpeace reveals contamination levels in the air, water and soil above internationally accepted limits.“Radioactivity increases poverty because it creates more victims. With each day passes we are exposed to radiation and continue to be surrounded by poisoned air, polluted water and earth – while AREVA makes hundreds of millions from our natural resources.”
said Almoustapha Alhacen, President of the local Nigerian NGO Aghir in’ Man (which means “the shield of the soul” in the Touareg language, is a local environmental and human rights organization).Last November, Greenpeace carried out soil, water and air tests in Arlit and Akokan, located a few kilometers from the mines.
The samples were studied in collaboration with the France-based Research and Independent Information on Radioactivity Commission (CRIIRAD).“The analysis we have performed show that the uranium contamination in four out of five water samples exceed World Health Organisation safety limits*. We found evidence of radon, a radioactive gas dissolved in water and also chemical elements. Even so, this water is still being distributed to the population and the workers for consumption” said Bruno Chareyron, an engineer in Nuclear Physics from CRIIRAD. Left in the Dust – Areva’s uranium mining in Niger | Greenpeace International
Hydroelectric plant – an Australian first
NSW: Australia’s first hydroelectric plant turned on, Energy Digital, 29 April 2010, North Head sewage treatment plant’s new hydro electric facility will now generate enough green energy to benefit environment, Andrea Marino , Apr 29, 2010 Continue reading
Video: Grand Canyon watershed endangered by uranium mining
Aerial view of uranium mines threatening Grand Canyon watersheds « Grand Canyon Trust News
Colorado legislating to force uranium miners to clean up
Lawmakers worry a new national focus on nuclear energy will allow mines to postpone cleanup of radioactive wastes while they ramp up production.
(USA) Colo. Senate gives initial backing to uranium bill, Washington Examiner, Associated Press04/27/10 DENVER — The state Senate has given initial backing to requiring uranium mines and mills to clean up nuclear waste before accepting more radioactive material. Continue reading
Big uranium promoter South Australian govt seeks environmental credibility
South Australian government announces Community Sustainability Grants. Premier, the Hon Mike Rann said, “The Government of South Australia is pleased to be partnering with Conservation SA to help communities become more resilient so that they can readily respond to climate change.
“Climate change is a real issue that affects everyone, and programs like this will give South Australians the opportunity to be part of the local solution.”
Community groups and non-government organisations are invited to apply for small (up to $3,000) or medium (up to $10,000) grants
Antinuclear 