Wednesday, 23 August, 2006

indymedia

Local environmentalists today conducted a public site inspection of the Browns mining project at Batchelor.

Mr John Oakley, a spokesperson for the inspection team, says that a lack of public information regarding the activities of Compass Resources around the old Rum Jungle Uranium lease had forced their hand.

"While we understand the EPA has given approval for Compass to develop their Browns Oxide project, the company has yet to fulfil the requirements of that authorisation," said Mr Oakley.

"The EPA recognised the likelihood of radioactive contamination from any activities near the abandoned Rum Jungle Uranium mine, and so required Compass to consult the public on a Radiation Management Plan.

"But Compass have yet to comply with this requirement, and Batchelor locals are concerned at the level of activity on site.

"The Mining Department tell us Compass have interim authorisation, but they won't reveal just what the miner is authorised to do.

"We know that Compass are already drafting an application to expand the project, and have plans to mine uranium nearby.

Compass has kicked off preliminary engineering work at its 14.5 million pound Mount Fitch uranium project, with the company anticipating a sharing of infrastructure between the two developments.

"Given the stakes are so high, we decided it was appropriate to come out on site and assess the situation for ourselves."