MNM drops plans to drill for gas

Appologies if this has already been posted -

Djungan people of north Queensland accused Mantle Mining last year of underplaying the impact of its plans and are now calling for a moratorium on fracking in Australia.
A mining company has retreated from plans to drill for gas at one of Australia’s oldest Indigenous heritage sites, prompting celebrations among traditional landholders.
Representatives of the Djungan people of north Queensland in a statement said they were “elated” at news that Mantle Mining had dropped its bid to prospect at the foot of Ngarrabullgan, also known as Mount Mulligan.
The Djungan, who have been linked to cultural sites on the mountain for more than 35,000 years, learned last week that the Brisbane-based miner had withdrawn its prospecting application after surrendering its exploration permit last month.

Clan elders spoke of their relief at the end to current mining plans on the mountain but also of ongoing concerns about the possible impact of fracking across northern Australia.
They last year accused the miner of gaining an Indigenous land use agreement without informed consent by underplaying potential impacts on waterways, with one of the elders warning that any damage to the site would constitute “spiritual genocide”.
Their involvement with anti-coal seam gas activists while fighting plans to mine Ngarrabullgan – considered the oldest occupied site in Queensland – has led them to join rallies and campaigns in north Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Djungan elder Alfie “Pop” Neal thanked supporters, who ranged from the Greens to the Katter party to graziers and mining protest group Lock the Gate.
The chairman of the Ngarrabulgan Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Judulu Neal, said the Djungan supported a nationwide moratorium on fracking, which involves injection of chemicals into coal seams by miners to obtain gas.
Neal said the CSG industry’s unlimited access to water despite potential contamination of aquifers was unacceptable and must be “stopped at all costs”.

“That water is needed for people, for farming and for the ecosystem, not just now, but for future generations,” he said.
“Fracking is an attack not just on the Woomera nation, but on all Australian people. We Djungan support the calling of a moratorium on fracking across Australia.”
Mantle Mining managing director Ian Kraemer did not return calls.

http://www.theguardian.com/australi...safe-after-miner-drops-plans-to-drill-for-gas