Date: 20-May-2009The Australian Conservation Foundation has called for an urgent review and independent assessment of plans by uranium mining company Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) to construct a three kilometre long tunnel under its aging Ranger mine in Kakadu.
Earlier this week the Federal Environment Department gave approval for the tunnel to proceed without independent or public scrutiny. The tunnel plan is pivotal to ERA’s move to expand operations at Ranger and directly threatens the long term environmental protection of Kakadu National Park.
“A major expansion of a controversial uranium mine inside the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park requires rigorous scrutiny, not fast-tracking,” said ACF nuclear campaigner Dave Sweeney.
“The federal government needs to protect good process, public confidence and Kakadu by putting a spotlight on this plan.”
A serious and unresolved leak of around 100,000 litres of contaminated liquid per day from the Ranger tailings dam was confirmed in February. Ranger remains the focus of sustained criticism from environmentalists over its long history of leaks, spills and incidents.
“Ranger is leaking, creaking and under-performing. This mine urgently needs review and overhaul not a green light for further expansion.”
Along with the mine tunnel ERA is seeking approval for a new tailings dam and a large scale acid based heap leaching operation. (nasty@!!!)
ERA has not received Federal approval for the other aspects of its plan, which will require independent assessment.
ACF has asked the Federal Environment Department for a formal statement of reasons for its decision not to require independent assessment of the Ranger tunnel plan.
http://www.acfonline.org.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=2266
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