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Senator Lyn Allison Senator for Victoria

Press Release Dated: 10 May 2000 Press Release Number: 00/258 Portfolio: Environment

Leaky mine must be prosecuted Mining Company ERA was suppressing news of a leak at the Ranger Uranium mine at the same time as the Federal Government was bragging on the international stage about its environmental management of the mine, the Australian Democrats said today.

Democrats Nuclear Spokesperson Senator Lyn Allison said, “The failure to report an incident is a clear breach of ERA’s mining licence.

“The Northern Territory and Federal Governments are happy to see people put in jail for stealing biscuits but a mining misdemeanour in one of the most environmentally sensitive parts of Australia gets little more than a wrap on the knuckles, even when it is concealed for more than three weeks.”

It took 23 days for ERA to report the leak on April 5 in a pipe running from the tailings dam to the mill at its Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory.

“This reporting delay was quite convenient for the Government because on the 15th of April, Senator Hill was telling the World Heritage Committee that the Government had strengthened its role, ‘…in the regulation and environmental management of the Ranger uranium mine.’

“The Government has a clear obligation to pursue prosecution under Section 41A of the Atomic Energy Act.

“There have been over 100 documented leaks, spills and breaches from the Ranger Mine during its operation and it is reasonable to question whether ERA can be trusted to proceed with mining uranium at Jabiluka and whether the Government is serious about holding them to their licence commitments.

“I welcome the fact that the Minister has written to ERA asking for an explanation of the delay and calling for guarantees that they will observe reporting requirements in future, but this is not enough.

“In response to my questions, the Federal Government has given a commitment to the Senate to make ERA’s response to his letter public,” Senator Allison concluded.



Top | Email Authorised by: Jim Downey, 10 Brisbane Avenue, Barton ACT 2604. Copyright Â© 2000 Australian Democrats

http://www.democrats.org.au/media/display.htm Last modified: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 10:19:40 Today: Wed, 10 May 2000 10:53:14

