Chief Minister backs NT uranium mine

ABC Online

Cameco Australia and Paladin Energy Materials have been granted the right by the Northern Territory Government to commence Uranium exploration at the Angela and Pamela deposits, 25 kilometres south of Alice Springs. NT Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, has assured residents that the town’s water supply will not be impacted by the mining proposal and that the environment will not be harmed. Hundreds of people joined two protests against the project’s go-ahead on the weekend.

posted by Vinnie on October 6, 2008 at 5:05 pm · filed under

Uranium exploration to recommence in WA

The Age

Maximus Resources LTD, a so called “junior” mineral explorer, is set to recommence searching for Uranium in Western Australia after the recent State election installed a Liberal Government with a Pro-Uranium stance. Maximus has stated that it is keen to pick up the previously shelved evaluation project of it’s Windimurra site in the mid-west of the state

posted by Vinnie on September 18, 2008 at 12:48 pm · filed under

Global mineral industry converges at Darwin

ABC News

Leaders in the mining industry will gather in Darwin this week, to participate in the five day conference held by the Minerals Council of Australia. Participants include BP, Fortescu Metals and National Water Commission with contributions from special interest groups such as World Vision and Centre for Marine Studies. Scholars and conglomerate representatives will assemble to discuss the consequences of shutting down mines on the environment and the society. The conference will also focus on the part played by Indigenous interests in uranium mining.

posted by ecomedia on September 15, 2008 at 6:49 pm · filed under

Flinders Ranges uranium dumping approved

ABC News

After being forced to stop uranium exploration when found burying waste in a wilderness sanctuary, Marathon Resources has been approved to dump waste in the northern Flinders Ranges.  The waste - including clothing, calico, plastic bags and cardboard - will be tested as it is removed from the exploration site for radioactivity.

posted by shaun on September 10, 2008 at 1:12 pm · filed under

Business as usual for Republicans

Sydney Morning Herald

For those on the world stage hoping that the forthcoming US Presidential elections will result in a US Government more in keeping with the environmental views of other industrialised countries, Senator John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as running mate might be an indication of business as usual if the Republicans win. Palin favours drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, has opposed initiatives banning the discharge of pollution from metal mines into salmon streams, and has blocked moves to list polar bears as threatened species. Furthermore, she has so far failed to set emission reduction targets for Alaska, and has even questioned the science behind global warming predictions.

posted by steve on September 8, 2008 at 11:08 am · filed under

Shoalwater Bay coal terminal doesn’t pass Garrett

ABC News

Last week, Peter Garrett rejected a proposal for a coal terminal and 500km of rail at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland, on grounds of environmental degradation to the bay and internationally renowned wetlands in the area.  The mining company involved, Waratah Coal, was planning to spend $5.3 billion and is now challenging Garrett in the Federal Court, saying his decision is “pandering to the minority interests”.

posted by kirsty on September 7, 2008 at 8:08 pm · filed under

WWF Releases the 2008 Australia Power Generators Carbon Future Score Card

World Wildlife Fund

A report released by researchers at the World Wildlife Fund is calling for Australian power generators to improve their carbon emissions levels.  Rio Tinto, Alcoa, and Intergen have been particularly targeted for criticism, with the report underlining that many power companies still do not make their pollution reduction targets publicly available and invest virtually nothing in low emissions technology research.  11 out of the 19 companies audited scored two or less stars out of a possible five.

posted by ruby on September 4, 2008 at 1:45 pm · filed under

Scrap Russian uranium deal: Greens

The Australian Greens

The Australian Greens have called for an end to the uranium deal with Russia, claiming it would give a clear signal that Australia values non-proliferation and disarmament over revenue.

“Foreign Minister Steven Smith can draw a line under this reckless foreign policy gamble of the Howard era”  said Greens Spokeperson on nuclear issues, Senator Scott Ludlam.

posted by shaun on September 3, 2008 at 2:01 pm · filed under

A promise to ban unrnium minining in WA

ABC News

Western Australia’s Premier, Alan Carpenter, has promised that if Labor is re-elected there will be new legislation introduced before the years end to guarantee uranium is not mined in WA. On top of this he has promised $7 million in incentives for new renewable energy technologies.

posted by megan on August 26, 2008 at 3:51 pm · filed under

Liberal Party Reignites Debate on Nuclear Power

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

Despite Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson’s statement in February of this year that the liberal party had no plans to build a nuclear industry in Australia “at any time in the near future”, Shadow Trade Minister Ian MacFarlane has stated that if Australia is serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it must “include nuclear in our future base-load clean-energy mix.” Minister for the Environment, Hertitage and the Arts Peter Garret demanded yesterday to know where the liberal party would build the power plants, where they would dump the waste produced, and if the party still endorses the previous government’s plan to build 25 new plants.

posted by ruby on August 20, 2008 at 3:24 pm · filed under