Uranium Mining
The Greens candidates in Nth Qld are concerned that both major parties are promoting uranium mining as an answer to the State’s economic crisis. Laurence Springborg has openly supported uranium mining, and the current ALP government already allows exploration for uranium.
If uranium mining gets the go-ahead from the next government, we could see mining in Mt Isa and at Ben Lomond outside of Townsville.
Greens candidate for Mundingburrra Jenny Brown asks the community to think seriously about whether the possible short term benefits of uranium mining outweigh the very likely longer term consequences. “Mining at Ben Lomond, is likely to result in contamination of local water, including Keelbottom Creek and ultimately the Burdekin River, Townsville’s backup water supply in times of drought. Mining at Valhalla (near Mount Isa) would also pose problems as the uranium is for a large part in the form of brannerite, a mineral from which uranium can only be extracted using a high-temperature process that is expensive and could result in serious environmentally damaging accidents.”
The Greens stress that nuclear power is not a low emission fuel and is not be the answer to our economic and environmental woes. Paul Costin, Greens candidate for Mt Isa stresses "Mining uranium makes no economic sense. The fact that the Labor candidate for Mt Isa would even suggest opening a uranium mine must surely draw their economic credentials question.”
Mining uranium has a particular safety issue unlike any of the other metals currently mined in Mt Isa. All forms of uranium are unstable radioactive isotopes. This means that they spontaneously undergo fission reactions, breaking into two or more particles, and in the process may become totally different elements. Beyond the very real issue of radon gas, the deliberate or accidental release of radioactive and toxic materials into the local environment is a very real concern, especially from tailings dams and dust.
Ms Brown said “The Greens have consistently opposed the mining and export of uranium and as with our other policies there are no ifs, buts or maybes. We simply say our policy is NO URANIUM MINING in Queensland.”
More information:
Jenny Brown, The Greens 0401553363
Gail Hamilton, 4778 5351, 0447 032 455
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