Author argues against uranium mining

The author of a book that strikes down uranium exploration in Canada is applauding the New Brunswick government for its recent roadblocks to mining the element in the province.

Jim Harding, a retired environmental and justice studies professor and author of Canada’s Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System, made a stop in Moncton yesterday on a cross-country tour to chastise any move towards mining the radioactive rock.

Harding argued the thesis of his book, which flatly states uranium creates more problems than solutions, backing his claim on a timeline of Saskatchewan’s mining experience

WA Labor ‘won’t back’ uranium mining

Western Australian Opposition Leader Eric Ripper says Labor will continue to oppose uranium mining in WA, even though the State Government formally lifting the ban on mining the resource today.

Premier Colin Barnett says the removal of the ban will take immediate effect and any new mining leases will not have the standard clause that bans uranium mining.

Any new leases will no longer contain the provision that uranium mining is not allowed.

Expert discusses health effects of uranium mining

Between 100 and 150 people attended a program Saturday at the Community Center at Chatham to learn more about the potential health effects of uranium mining in Pittsylvania County.

The free educational program was sponsored by the Dan River Basin Association and featured Douglas M. Brugge, an associate professor in the Department of Public Health and Family Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Mass.

Brugge spoke on the history and health effects of uranium mining.

Bush Violates Law Protecting Grand Canyon From Uranium Mining

The Bush administration allowed Phoenix-based Neutron Energy to stake 20 new mining claims south of the Grand Canyon on August 7, in violation of an emergency Congressional resolution passed seven weeks earlier that declared off limits to mining activity approximately 1 million acres adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park.

A new Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis of records generated by the Interior department’s Bureau of Land Management unearthed evidence of Neutron Energy’s claims, filed in defiance of a Congressional resolution aimed at protecting the Canyon and the Colorado River that flows through it from a surge of uranium mining activity sparked by uranium prices escalating in anticipation of new nuclear power plant construction.

“The Bush administration’s Grand Canyon giveaway is a direct violation of the law,” said EWG Senior Analyst for Public Lands Dusty Horwitt. “This is the environmental equivalent of a subprime mortgage on the nation’s most iconic natural treasure. Mining companies get in cheap today, and the public pays tomorrow for what is certain to be a major environmental disaster.”

EWG alerted the public and Congress to the rush for mining rights around the Grand Canyon in an August 2007 report called Mining Law Threatens Grand Canyon, other Natural Treasures. This week’s updated analysis by EWG shows that as of October 1, 2008, speculators and mining interests have filed 8,568 mining claims in the area protected by the emergency resolution, compared to 110 claims in January 2003.

Alaska’s Youth Protest Palin and Uranium Mining

Alaska’s Youth Protest to Gov. Palin and the State of Alaska Against Uranium Mining
By Pearl Johnson

Through covert dealings, Gov. Sarah Palin, State Dept. of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, the Alaska and U.S. senators and representatives and an ANCSA corporation entrusted with the security and health of their constituents have accepted the lease proposal to explore for uranium at the Fireweed/Boulder Creek area located in southwestern Seward Peninsula, without the knowledge, consent nor approval of the citizens of Western Alaska.

When students of Elim, Alaska first realized this, they began researching the effects of uranium mining and created educational posters to share what they learned. A community meeting was organized in Elim to share their findings and garner support to protest this action. The community responded favorably and in March 2007, demonstrated when the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race went through their town.

On September 17, 2007, a letter was sent to Gov. Palin inquiring what she planned to do about uranium mining at Boulder Creek which is located north of their community. She has yet to respond to this letter… Click here to read the letter.

In her State of the State speech on January 17, 2007, I quote: “With our rich energy supplies, we can contribute globally in many arenas, if we do things right. We must lead with trust – founded upon a most ethical government. To sustain our future……we must look to responsible development throughout the state… from mining etc. We can be good stewards of God’s green earth.”

Core drilling has been completed at Boulder Creek. Pollution in this watershed will negatively impact and irreversibly destroy the area and sustain heavy environmental and cultural damage impacting the communities of Council, White Mountain, Golovin, Koyuk, Elim and Shaktoolik. To allow the total destruction of this beautiful land, lush meadows, rich green forests, flower fields, pristine lakes and rivers is unthinkable. This fragile ecosystem nourishes and supplies Inupiaq, Yupik and non-native people, and healthy populations of every plant and mammal species indigenous to Arctic Alaska. It is not a frozen wasteland but a biologically diverse home to millions of salmon, beluga whale, seals, crab and annual migrations of birds from the Americas. The great Western Arctic Caribou Herd has wintered here, along with local reindeer, grizzly and black bear, and moose. Wolves, fox, lynx, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink, weasel, squirrel and porcupine traverse through quiet grasslands and marshes. Eagles, hawks and owls, robins and ravens fly through wind blown rocky enclaves in search of insects and small rodents. Berries, herbs and teas color the landscape along with wild cotton, cat tails and willows.

MPs recommend delay on Russian uranium deal

Federal Parliament’s Treaties Committee has recommended the Government delay ratifying a treaty to sell uranium to Russia because of fears about the country’s nuclear weapons program.

The treaty was signed last year by the former Howard Government.

But after examining the proposal, the committee says it should not go ahead until Russia separates its civil and military nuclear facilities.

Committee members had earlier expressed fears that Russia could use Australian uranium as part of its nuclear weapons program.

The committee also says there should be International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of the facilities that will take Australian uranium.

Premier promises laws to ban uranium mining

Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter has promised to legislate to ban uranium mining of if Labor is relected.

The Premier has maintained until now that legislation is not necessary because of the Labor Party’s stance against it.

Mr Carpenter now says he will introduce legislation before the end of the year to ensure uranium is not mined in Western Australia.

The Premier is in Albany, where he has made a commitment to renewable energy and promised that a Labor government would spend $7 million providing financial incentives for new renewable power technology.

Uranium explorer to meet traditional owners

The mining company looking for uranium at Napperby Station, north-west of Alice Springs, says it is meeting traditional owners today.

Toro Energy’s managing director, Greg Hall, says there is a consistent strip of uranium just eight metres from the surface.

Mr Hall says he hopes to address concerns of traditional owners at the meeting.

Mining company apologises for uranium waste

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.

Waste clean-up plan now approved

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.