Federal Minister’s stunt on Browns Oxide mine a sign of things to come - Mt Todd the last example of Commonwealth fast-tracking!

The Environment Centre NT (ECNT) says Federal Resources Minister Macfarlane’s announcement that the proposed Browns Oxide mine near Batchelor would be designated for ‘ Major Project Facilitation’ (MPF) is a stunt with worrying implications.

“This announcement is more about the Commonwealth preparing the way to fast-track approval for the subsequent, much larger and dirtier Brown’s Sulphide mine – which is a uranium mine!

“The last time the Commonwealth tried to fast-track mining in the NT, using the same MPF device in 1992, we ended up with the Mt Todd disaster, which the public and the environment will be paying for for decades to come.

“The Browns Sulphide mine has the potential to exacerbate the already serious environmental degradation caused by the Commonwealth’s Rum Jungle uranium mine – which is part of the same mineral deposit.

“The Commonwealth really is behaving like a bunch of reckless cowboys and this is extremely worrying for local people around Batchelor and the wider community.

“Only the highest level of environmental assessment, taking as long as is necessary, should be contemplated for the Sulphide project which has so much potential to create long-lasting and irreversible contamination of the surrounding environment.”

For more information and comment:
Peter Robertson
Campaign Coordinator
Environment Centre NT
8981 1984