Uranium mines threaten Alice water supply
Natalie Wasley
Arid Lands Environment Centre
The Beyond Nuclear Initiative (BNI) Alice Springs condemns the decision of the Northern Territory Government to grant exploration licences for the Angela and Pamela uranium deposits.
In response to the announcement that a joint Cameco-Paladin venture was granted, BNI uranium project convenor Natalie Wasley expressed a number of concerns regarding the exploration and potential mining at the sites, situated only 25 kilometres from Alice Springs.
WATER / IN SITU LEACH MINING PROCESS
“The in-situ leach (ISL) mining technique, likely to be used for the Angela Pamela deposits, involves pumping acid into groundwater to dissolve the ore, then pumping this solution back to the surface, where the uranium is extracted”.
“In South Australia, the in-situ leach mine at Beverly disposes of contaminated waste water directly back into the aquifer”.
“Given that the Angela Pamela deposits are located within the Alice Springs water catchment, and less than ten kilometres from the proposed new borefield, it is a serious concern that essential supplies of groundwater may be contaminated”.
“No mining company can guarantee there will not be adverse impacts from this development. No mining company can ensure that contaminated water pumped back into the ground will not end up in the Alice Springs water supply”.
BIODIVERSITY
“The area encompassing the Angela and Pamela deposits has been identified as an area of national biodiversity and conservation significance in the draft NT Parks Masterplan. This area should be utilised for tourism and low impact development, not sacrificed for a short term profit”.
“A uranium mine at Angela Pamela would be a short term project with long term environmental consequences. There will be minimal infrastructure and minimal job opportunities with a huge associated risk”.
COMMUNITY
“Alice has been identified as a national leader in renewables as a recipient of Solar Cities funding. There should be increased investment in renewable technology development and implementation in the region. Does the NTG want Alice to be iconic as both a solar and a nuclear city?”
“The Government should consider the long term health and viability of ground and surface water supplies before grasping at potential short term economic windfall”.
“People cannot eat money, and they cannot drink uranium contaminated water”.
The Beyond Nuclear Initiative (Alice Springs) calls upon the NT Government to withdraw the exploration licences for Angela Pamela and return the areas to reservation from occupation status.
In response to the announcement that a joint Cameco-Paladin venture was granted, BNI uranium project convenor Natalie Wasley expressed a number of concerns regarding the exploration and potential mining at the sites, situated only 25 kilometres from Alice Springs.
WATER / IN SITU LEACH MINING PROCESS
“The in-situ leach (ISL) mining technique, likely to be used for the Angela Pamela deposits, involves pumping acid into groundwater to dissolve the ore, then pumping this solution back to the surface, where the uranium is extracted”.
“In South Australia, the in-situ leach mine at Beverly disposes of contaminated waste water directly back into the aquifer”.
“Given that the Angela Pamela deposits are located within the Alice Springs water catchment, and less than ten kilometres from the proposed new borefield, it is a serious concern that essential supplies of groundwater may be contaminated”.
“No mining company can guarantee there will not be adverse impacts from this development. No mining company can ensure that contaminated water pumped back into the ground will not end up in the Alice Springs water supply”.
BIODIVERSITY
“The area encompassing the Angela and Pamela deposits has been identified as an area of national biodiversity and conservation significance in the draft NT Parks Masterplan. This area should be utilised for tourism and low impact development, not sacrificed for a short term profit”.
“A uranium mine at Angela Pamela would be a short term project with long term environmental consequences. There will be minimal infrastructure and minimal job opportunities with a huge associated risk”.
COMMUNITY
“Alice has been identified as a national leader in renewables as a recipient of Solar Cities funding. There should be increased investment in renewable technology development and implementation in the region. Does the NTG want Alice to be iconic as both a solar and a nuclear city?”
“The Government should consider the long term health and viability of ground and surface water supplies before grasping at potential short term economic windfall”.
“People cannot eat money, and they cannot drink uranium contaminated water”.
The Beyond Nuclear Initiative (Alice Springs) calls upon the NT Government to withdraw the exploration licences for Angela Pamela and return the areas to reservation from occupation status.