Pilbara uranium mine: Minister dismisses concerns over environmental approval, page-2

First 2 Last

Share
Profile

Follow
Dr Daz

2,041 Posts.

07/03/15

14:48

Post #: 14876963
Share

Originally posted by Maaze ↑

Pilbara uranium mine: Minister dismisses concerns over environmental approval

Posted 7 minutes ago
PHOTO: The mine would be located in the Karlamilyi National Park. (Supplied)
RELATED STORY: Pilbara uranium mine granted conditional environmental approval
MAP: Karratha 6714
Western Australia's Environment Minister Albert Jacob has dismissed concerns about his conditional approval of a Pilbara uranium mine.
One of the world's largest uranium producers, Cameco, is proposing to build the Kintyre open-cut mine about 270 kilometres north-east of Newman.
Environmentalists have condemned the decision, citing concerns over the level of radiation monitoring required of the company throughout the Karlamilyi National Park, where the mine would be located.
Mr Jacob said Kintyre would be subject to a number of conditions, including ensuring endangered animals were not affected by radiation.
"This project has been through the most thorough level of environmental impact assessment," he said.
"It has been through more than four years of community consultation and I am extremely confident that with the conditioning that has been put around this project, that it can be constructed and operated in a way that will maintain the environmental values of this area."
However, the WA Conservation Council's Mia Pepper said the Government should ensure any animal which is consumed by traditional landowners, not just those that are endangered, also remain protected.
"In that area there is a lot of hunting and the big concern is around the radiological uptake in bush foods, which could impact public health," she said.
"Whether there's a big risk or a small risk, the point is that there should be monitoring and there should be evidence that the company can provide to the community to say that there is no risk."
Mr Jacob acknowledged the group's concerns but said they had already been evaluated.
"Those matters were looked at extensively through the appeals process," he said.
"They were all addressed in the letter which all of the appellants, including the Conservation Council, would have received in response."
Mr Jacob said the monitoring requirements for Kintyre were at a sufficient level to ensure bush tucker would not be affected by radiation.
"To the extent that bush food consumption would have to increase 100-fold, even to reach basic background [radiation] levels, so it's not even within the realm of being a concern," he said.
Traditional owners, the Martu people, signed a land-use deal with Cameco in 2012.
Kintyre now requires federal environmental approval.
The Conservation Council said environmental groups have vowed to continue to fight the project and will take their concerns to Canberra.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-...ranium-mine-approval/6286908?section=business

Expand

There are easier and cheaper parts of the world to develop a uranium mine.
Upvote

0 Great analysis

Reply

Top Stories

GBR

Great Boulder hits fresh gold finds to the north of Mulga Bill in Meekatharra, WA

NAM

Olam Agri announces third extension to Namoi takeover bid

MYE

Metarock falls -10% as QLD regulator takes it to court over 2021 death of Graham Dawson – after raiding company offices

Is the ASX getting its groove back? Here's 5 IPOs in September to watch

STX

Strike hits "significant" 28m of net gas pay downhole Australia's deepest ever gas well; extends system east

There are more pages in this discussion • 2 more messages in this thread...

First 2 Last

Add URANIUM (NYMEX) to my watchlist

(20min delay)
Last $24.70		Change 0.250(1.02%)		Mkt cap ! n/a

Open	High	Low
$24.70	$0.00	$0.00

Pilbara uranium mine: Minister dismisses concerns over environmental approval, page-2

Great Boulder hits fresh gold finds to the north of Mulga Bill in Meekatharra, WA

Olam Agri announces third extension to Namoi takeover bid

Metarock falls -10% as QLD regulator takes it to court over 2021 death of Graham Dawson – after raiding company offices

Is the ASX getting its groove back? Here's 5 IPOs in September to watch

Strike hits "significant" 28m of net gas pay downhole Australia's deepest ever gas well; extends system east

Featured News

Featured News

Pilbara uranium mine: Minister dismisses concerns over environmental approval, page-2

Top Stories

Great Boulder hits fresh gold finds to the north of Mulga Bill in Meekatharra, WA

Olam Agri announces third extension to Namoi takeover bid

Metarock falls -10% as QLD regulator takes it to court over 2021 death of Graham Dawson – after raiding company offices

Is the ASX getting its groove back? Here's 5 IPOs in September to watch

Strike hits "significant" 28m of net gas pay downhole Australia's deepest ever gas well; extends system east

Featured News

Featured News