Transporting more uranium won't cause problems, BHP says
ABC News Online
BHP Billiton says any increase in the amount of uranium being transported through the Northern Territory would not create problems, but an environmental lobby group is not so sure.
BHP currently produces about 4,000 tonnes of uranium a year from its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia.
About a quarter of that is taken by train to the Port of Darwin.
A BHP spokesman Richard Yeeles says it is not clear at this stage how much more uranium oxide may be transported through the Territory and any decision is years away.
"It would be more, but how much more is dependent on a number of factors," he said.
Natalie Wasley, a spokewoman for the Alice Springs-based Beyond Nuclear Initiative, says there are risks.
"If you are increasing the transport of radioactive materials you are increasing the risk of an accident," he said.
The NT Government has asked BHP to prepare an Environment Impact Statement.
The Olympic Dam expansion project needs environmental approval from the Federal and South Australian governments, which is not expected until 2010.
BHP currently produces about 4,000 tonnes of uranium a year from its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia.
About a quarter of that is taken by train to the Port of Darwin.
A BHP spokesman Richard Yeeles says it is not clear at this stage how much more uranium oxide may be transported through the Territory and any decision is years away.
"It would be more, but how much more is dependent on a number of factors," he said.
Natalie Wasley, a spokewoman for the Alice Springs-based Beyond Nuclear Initiative, says there are risks.
"If you are increasing the transport of radioactive materials you are increasing the risk of an accident," he said.
The NT Government has asked BHP to prepare an Environment Impact Statement.
The Olympic Dam expansion project needs environmental approval from the Federal and South Australian governments, which is not expected until 2010.