Thursday, 26 October, 2006

by Emma King
ECNT

The announcement by ERA that they hope to continue processing ore at Ranger uranium mine until 2020 has been criticised by the Environment Centre of the NT (ECNT).

ECNT believes that, along with the announcement last week that the company is hoping to extend mining operations, these developments pose a real and significant threat to world heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

"The current closure plan is to end mining in 2008 and milling in 2014. Any extension will exacerbate existing tailings and water management problems. Tailings from approved mining and milling plans are already enough to fill the pits, and ERA has already had to apply for new land application areas to manage contaminated water," ECNT uranium campaigner Emma King said.

"The company's current authorisation to mine expires in 2026 and I understand that their closure plan requires at least 12 years of work to ensure that rehabilitation is adequate to protect the surrounding environment."

It is ECNT's understanding that under section 68 of the Mining Act, if ERA applies for an extension to the period of their mineral lease, the minister must be satisfied that ERA has complied with all the provisions of this Act and the conditions to which the lease is subject.

"Given that the mine has a long history of contamination and accidents and has been prosecuted for breaching the conditions of their mining management plan, ECNT will be calling on Mines minister Chris Natt to refuse any extension of the ERA’s mineral lease," Ms King said.

"The larger the mine footprint and the more radioactive ore is released from underground containment, the greater the risk of contamination of the surrounding environment."