Mining

Why Jabiluka Shouldn't Proceed

Moreover the Jabiluka Mill Alternative would further impact upon important sacred sites. Mining in the region has already been shown to inflict unacceptable social impacts on the Traditional Owners. Yvonne Margarula, Mirrar senior traditional owner says: "The new mine will make our future worthless and destroy more of our country. We oppose any further mining development in our country."

Fuels the nuclear cycle

Uranium is one of the most dangerous minerals on earth. Uranium is principally used to fuel nuclear weapons or nuclear reactors. Either way every gram of uranium mined is destined to become radioactive waste. Nuclear weapons threaten the existence of the planet daily. Nuclear reactors are an increasingly unsafe, uneconomic and unpopular way to produce energy. There is still no guaranteed means of adequately isolating highly toxic radioactive wastes.

Would destroy World Heritage values of Kakadu

The natural and cultural values of Kakadu are directly threatened by Jabiluka. Kakadu's unique values are the reason over 250,000 people visit the region each year. If Jabiluka were to proceed 20 million tonnes of radioactive wastes would be created and remain as a permanent threat to the region. Jabiluka is located adjacent to the wetlands of Kakadu, which feed the region's vast floodplains and literally feed the Aboriginal traditional owners.

Appalling process

The approval processes for the mine so far have been plagued with inconsistency and inadequacy, leading a 1999 Senate Inquiry to recommend that the project be abandoned. Incorrect levels of environmental assessment have been prescribed and public input into the processes has been ignored. Jabiluka represents one of the worst cases of Environmental Impact Assessment since such assessments began in Australia.

In conclusion

Mining uranium in Kakadu is an example of the worst sort of industrial development in one of Australia's most magnificent places.

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