Mining

20 June 2002

Senate Inquiry Spotlights Failing Uranium Industry

Senate Inquiry needed to investigate history of environmental failures

Australian Conservation Foundation
Environment Centre NT
Friends of the Earth Australia

Key environment groups have welcomed a Senate decision today to hold an Inquiry into uranium mining. The move follows a series of leaks, spills and reporting failures at operations in the Northern Territory and South Australia.

"Uranium mines around the country have been leaking contaminants and credibility" said ACF nuclear campaigner Dave Sweeney. "This Inquiry is a timely and important wake up call for a seriously underperforming industry."

The Inquiry is set to examine the effectiveness of regulation, monitoring and reporting at Rio Tinto's Ranger and Jabiluka mines in Kakadu and the Beverley and Honeymoon acid in-situ-leach (ISL) sites in South Australia.

"Rio Tinto is on notice that its operations in Kakadu are under the spotlight" said Environment Centre of the Northern Territory Coordinator Mark Wakeham. "Kakadu National Park deserves better than leaking and polluting uranium mines and this Inquiry offers an opportunity to address the persistent problems at these mines."

The Inquiry, moved by the ALP Senator Trish Crossin and due to be chaired by Democrats Senator Lyn Allison aims to improve environmental performance and transparence of reporting.

"The Beverley and Honeymoon mines use a controversial acid ISL technique not used in any other Western nation", said Friends of the Earth Australia nuclear campaigner Bruce Thompson.

"There is an urgent need for an independent and comprehensive examination of this industry and these mines and this Senate Inquiry is an important step in this process."

For further information or comment:
Dave Sweeney: Aust Conservation Foundation
(03) 99266708 or 0408 317 812
Peter Robertson: Environment 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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