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Action Alert: Challenge BHP’s plans for the world’s largest uranium mine

Submitted by Sara on Friday, 3 July 2009159 Comments
Action Alert: Challenge BHP’s plans for the world’s largest uranium mine

Power Shifters alert! We’ve just been sent this info from our friends at the ACF and we wanted to let you all know – BHP has proposed a uranium expansion plan which poses both nuclear risks and presents unresolved nuclear waste problems. AYCC has a strong policy against nuclear energy (come to our “Why Nuclear Power is Not the Answer” panel at Power Shift to find out why). It is up to us to combine voices to let decision makers know of the flaws in the uranium expansion plan.

The proposed expansion of the BHP Olympic dam in northern South Australia poses multiple risks. It encompasses the creation of a new open pit mine aswell as continuing the operation of the existing underground mine. Its design is fundamentally flawed to leak liquid radioactive waste, place pressure on water supply and place ecosystems at risk. Similarly, nuclear safeguards in Australia disappear upon the uranium’s arrival in China.

ACF is asking us to let you know to voice your opposition to:

a) the Federal Government, who must undertake an Environmental Impact Statement assessment

b) the South Australian Government who have the power to approve or decline the BPH application

c) the Northern Territory Government who wield the power to approve or decline BHP’s proposal to transport uranium and radioactive copper concentrate from Central Australia to the Port of Darwin.

Public submissions are open until Friday 7 August, so you can take action now, or after Power Shift.

You can either:Make your own submission on the EIS to the Federal and SA government decision makers. This is the most effective way to make a difference.

If you haven’t much time, send an ecard and make a public submission.

Speak out against the BPH proposal and the serious civic and environmental risks that it poses.

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