more sensationalism

Hi guys

This story is not about Cougar but it keeps the "fear factor" of UCG in "neon lights" in the minds of the local community.This item was published in last Friday's South Burnett Times 27th Aug 2010, page 8.

I apologise for not posting it earlier.

By the way there was nothing about Cougar or UCG in today's edition of the SBT. I wish they had a link to their stories so I would not have to re-type them.

QUOTE:

PROPERTY OWNER WORRIES ABOUT MINING FUTURE

The future of Randall Charlson's property is in the hands of mining companies.

The five acre block he's lived on since 2000 is 8km from the centre of Kingaroy and falls under the mining lease Red River Resources Limited was, until earlier this month, exploring for the use of underground coal gasification (UCG).

They announced in May they had entered an agreement with Black Gold Resources Limited to, if permitted by the State Government, mine 82.1 million tonnes of coal underneath Taabinga and parts of Kingaroy. But Red River managing director John Karajas dedided to halt the exploration because the community was "really worried" about UCG and said the company didn't want to "fuel the fire".

"We were a little bit stunned with the response and we had no intention of causing people distress," Mr Karajas said.

"We want to apologise to the people of Kingaroy and our attention is now on exploring gold in Western Australia."

But Mr Charlson said he still believed a threat was real and it was unfair that any company could come onto his land and destroy it.

UCG companies, coal companies and Tarong Energy have exploration and development licences and have bought up some of the best farmland the region has.

"Red River say they're not going to do anything but that could change," Mr Charlson questioned.

"If there is 82.1 tonnes of coal someone is going to some and mine it.

"It's shocking because a lot of people in town wouldn't even know what could happen on their properties."

Another concern to Mr Charlson is he wouldn't be compensated if water on or close to his property was contaminated.

"We've got the Stuart river just next to us and if they miscalculate and mess up the water supply, we're screwed," he said. "We bought this block and built a home on it and it's at risk. "I didn't like it that someone can come on my block and do what they want; it's totally wrong."

ENDS

There is an accompanying photo of Mr Charlson probably taken on his small acreage with the caption "ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN" along with the following wording:-

Randall Charlson said his property 8km from Kingaroy is in the hands of mining companies. He is worried he owns his land but not the 82.1 million tonnes of coal underneath it.

ENDS

Re the last sentence - what an extroadinary statement - 82.1 million tonnes of coal under his 5 acre property - you have to be kidding & it totally contradicts what they said in the 3rd paragraph. Get real!!!

Also with reference to the claim that "UCG companies, coal companies and Tarong Energy have exploration and development licences and have bought up some of the best farmland the region has". I might well be wrong but I do not think any UCG companies have bought any of the best farmland or any land for that matter. The land where Cougar Energy has their pilot plant is owned by Tarong Energy. Certainly, Tarong Energy has been active in buying land/farms & there had previously been a lot written in the SBT (South Burnett Times). Enough said.