Ecuador: Mining, debt and indigenous struggles

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On November 17, thousands of indigenous and environmental activists rallied across Ecuador in protest against the introduction of a new mining law by the government of President Rafael Correa.

The protests, organised largely by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE — Ecuador’s largest indigenous federation), marked the beginning of a week of protests by social, environmental and indigenous movements against the potentially environmentally destructive consequences of a number of proposed new laws — including laws relating to mining, water and the introduction of large-scale shrimp farming.

Ecuador’s weak economy is heavily dependent upon mineral extraction — especially oil — and this has had a catastrophic effect on the environment and communities in affected areas.

http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/776/40019

Mining company apologises for uranium waste

Posted Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:36am AEST
Updated Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:45am AEST

Marathon apologises for uranium waste it buried at Arkaroola (Margaret Sprigg)

• Map: Hawker 5434
• Related Story: Arkaroola ‘too precious’ to mine: Minchin
• Related Story: Waste clean-up plan now approved

The chairman of Marathon Resources has made a formal apology to the owners of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary for his company’s misconduct at the site in outback South Australia.

The company dumped thousands of uranium drill samples in plastic and calico bags in two large trenches in the sanctuary last year.

The SA Government ordered Marathon to produce a detailed report on how it would rehabilitate the site.

That plan has been approved this week by the Department of Primary Industries and Resources.

In an address to shareholders, chairman Peter Williams apologised to everyone who had been affected by Marathon’s wrongdoing, especially the owners of the Arkaroola sanctuary, Doug and Marg Sprigg.

Mr Williams said he accepted responsibility on behalf of the board for breaches in the exploration licence.

He said systematic change was required in the company to change its culture towards the community and the environment.

A clean-up of the 35 tonnes of waste could begin within a fortnight and is expected to take up to two months.

Mr Williams confident a suspension on the company’s work will be lifted by the SA Government.

“They acknowledge that there is a very large resource and some obligations under our exploration licence to make sure that we comply with all the regulations and so on and, if we’re doing that, there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t return to a drilling program,” he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/15/2336327.htm?section=australia

Waste clean-up plan now approved

Posted Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:43am AEST
Updated Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:17pm AEST

Bags dug up in wilderness zone: now clean-up to proceed (Margaret Sprigg)

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• Map: Hawker 5434

A clean-up plan has been approved by the South Australian Government for a mining company caught dumping waste in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the Flinders Ranges.

Marathon Resources was forced to stop drilling in the wilderness area early this year after it was found to have breached sections of its uranium exploration licence by burying waste last year.

It was ordered by the SA Government to clean up about 35 tonnes of waste buried in plastic and calico bags.

The Department of Primary Industries and Resources has now formally approved Marathon’s clean-up plan.

The company says it will meet officials later in the week to discuss specific details.

Marathon chairman Peter Williams says the clean-up should begin shortly.

“Now we start the process of implementing that plan and I hope that we’re able to commence next week,” he said.

Mr Williams says he hopes drilling can recommence by the end of the year.

Australian BC News