Mining

3 December 2002

Rio Tinto Still Shipping Poison Out of Kakadu

Another shipment of uranium from Rio Tinto's Kakadu mine will leave Darwin's Fort Hill Wharf today, headed for the inevitable endpoint of nuclear waste or weapons – the two unwanted consequences of this industry.

Environment Centre coordinator Kirsten Blair said: "Rio Tinto has been working hard to appear as a good corporate citizen but what today highlights is that this company cannot have its yellowcake and eat it too."

"We saw strong words from Rio earlier this year but since then the company has not moved to commence rehabilitation at Jabiluka and today is shipping this unwanted danger out of Darwin. It is time for Rio Tinto to match its words with action."

"Rio Tinto's operation in Kakadu has a legacy of water incidents and is currently the subject of a Senate Inquiry investigation. Uranium mining is not the activity of a responsible company. Rehabilitation must commence at Jabiluka and the land returned to Traditional Owners"

"The time is now for Rio to cut it's losses, respond to majority public opinion and get out of Kakadu" Ms Blair concluded.

For more information contact ECNT:
08 8981 1984 / 8985 3645
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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