Saturday, 20 January, 2007

by Adrienne Francis
ABC NT TV News

Batchelor land owners and concerned environmentalists, are calling for a mining company to explain how it will manage the regions shared water supplies.
They're worried a new oxide mine will impact their most important resource.

VOICER:

For 25 years, Batchelor farmer DAVID THOMPSON has performed this important ritual of checking the bore.

The water he draws is pumped onto his crops at 5L a second, for atleast 6 hours each day.

But next door, construction's under way for a copper, cobalt and nickel mine that Compass Resources will open by July.

That has the Thompson family worried about their future access to the underground water.

GRAB: David

"Yeah we are very frightened about the water, with the mine opening up over there. We don't know if they are going to take the water from us? or whatever? We just don't know."

VOICER:

He says the former Woodcutters lead and zinc mine set a worrying precedent.
Mr Thompson says that mine's demand for water affected the underground resource, forcing the family to relocate which cost them twenty-thousand dollars.

GRAB: David

"We ended up going down to Milton Springs, and ah, stayed there for a year, which was a bit of a disaster, so we come back here. Not long after that the mine closed down."

VOICER:

Mr Thompson isn't the only one worried about the new Compass mine.
At least six other land holders live within five kilometres of the site.

They've formed the Rum Jungle Information Group, and want new monitors installed on bores, before mining begins.

Environmental campaigner, EMMA KING, agrees.

"We have concerns that they are not engaging enough with the community and not being open enough with the community."

VOICER:

Compass Managing director RICHARD SWANN says their processing plants will use up to 55L per second in the first four months and be recycled after that.
Compass admits more ground water will have to be continually pumped out of the mines pit to keep it dry.

While Mr Swan can't say how much will be lost..he still thinks there's more than enough water for everyone.

GRAB: Richard

"Really we don't think that um, it's a mining or horticulture choice. We believe that, that both groups can exist side by side."

PIECE TO CAMERA:

"The company says it is committed to monitoring the mine's water use, and will keep a close eye on the mine's impact on others in the catchment.
Compass is also talking to land owners about the possibility of buying them out."

Adrienne Francis ABC News Batchelor.