Mining

7 March 2002

Action Needed on Kakadu Uranium Leak

Australian Conservation Foundation
Environment Centre NT
Friends of the Earth Australia

Key environment groups have today urged immediate action to protect Kakadu National Park following confirmation of a series of leaks from the operations of uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia (ERA).

The Australian Conservation Foundation, Friends of the Earth and the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory have called for the staged rehabilitation of the controversial Jabiluka mine site and an independent review of operations and impacts at the nearby Ranger uranium mine.

The groups believe the leaks are clear evidence of ERA's failure to learn from its' past mistakes.

A detailed internal company review following leaks in 2000 found that water management was an increasingly intractable problem which had " become an all consuming task at Ranger which appears to be a major distraction from the task of achieving site wide best possible environmental outcomes and relationships with key stakeholders".

Two years on and nothing has changed.

"These leaks are the latest in an extensive series of spills, leaks and accidents at ERA's operations in Kakadu" said ECNT spokesperson Mark Wakeham.

"The company has again shown that it is neither competent nor credible and ERA's failure to openly report on these leaks is simply unacceptable".

The most recent leaks, from both the operating Ranger mine and the stalled Jabiluka project, highlight the dangers of mining uranium in a monsoonal high conservation value region.

"Jabiluka has been the focus of concern and attention here and overseas since ERA decided to push ahead with this project in 1996," said ACF nuclear campaigner Dave Sweeney.

"The mine has been stalled through traditional owner and community opposition but it still poses a direct threat to Kakadu and must now be rehabilitated. Routine leaks of uranium and other contaminants into Australia's largest National Park is not good business."

For further comment:
Dave Sweeney Aust Conservation Foundation
(03) 99266708 or 0408 317 812
Mark Wakeham Env. Centre Northern Territory 08 8981 1984
Bruce Thompson Friends of the Earth, Australia 0417 318 368
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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