Fear of water contamination and radioactive dust is driving the Alice Springs Angela Pamela Collective to oppose uranium mining 25 km south of the town.

Spokeswoman Natalie Wasley says the project has been given the green light, for exploration at least, by the NT Government without consulting the public.

The site’s “reservation from occupation” status was revoked despite recognition of the area’s “national conservation bio-diversity significance” in the government’s own parks draft master plan, she says.

Meanwhile Tom Keaney, a member of the collective, says there is “potential for environmental damage and contamination” to the town’s water supply.

Palladin, one of the two partners in the mining venture, had said earlier that such a risk did not exist because there is a barrier between the proposed mine and the aquifer.

The Alice News had requested the other partner, Cameco, to take part in a three-way interview, together with a member of the collective, but the company’s Jennifer Parks declined, saying she may comment later.

Dr Keaney says there is doubt about the function of a geological barrier as a protection of artesian basins.

“Surface run-off, from rain and flooding, and ground water are inter-linked,” he says.

“What are the barriers that would stop any surface run-off from the mine infiltrating the aquifers which supply Alice Springs?

“The mine up at Ranger contaminated drinkable water in 2004.

“That’s a significant issue.

“And it wasn’t related to a failure of technology. It was related to simple human error.”

Dr Keaney says the ASAP collective wants guarantees that there will be no contamination of groundwater, either through acts of God, such as floods, or through individuals’ mistakes.

“The mine itself uses water,” he also says.

“The Olympic Dam mine in South Australia utilizes a great deal of water. We live in an arid environment.

“Water is precious.

“You can’t justify the use of large quantities of water to extract a toxic substance.”

Radioactive dust is another worry for Dr Keaney: “Prevailing winds are from the south and the south east,” he says. “This mine is 25 kms to the south.”

Dust storms are common in The Centre, and in what way would dust from the mine be different?

“This is a difficult question,” says Dr Keaney.

“Obviously, there would be a low level of radiation present in dust that may blow over Alice Springs.”

What would that mean?

He says the question was the subject of report number seven, about the biological effects of ionizing radiation, sponsored by the National Sciences Academy in the United States last year.

“The report talked about a linear effect between radiation levels and possible effect on human health,” says Dr Keaney.

“That means the more radiation an individual is exposed to, the greater is the likelihood of illness.”

What illness?
“Again, it’s difficult to say at such low levels, but the report talks in particular about thyroid cancer and leukemia.”
He says genetic defects and “problems with inheritance” are also mentioned in the report. Vehicle traffic from the mine may be a further concern.