New uranium mine conditions don’t scratch the surface: Greens

20 September 2012

WA Greens Water Spokesperson Alison Xamon MLC says new environmental conditions imposed on Toro Energy’s uranium mine proposal for the northern Goldfields are woefully inadequate because they ignore major problems with Toro’s proposal.

"Among the Greens’ main concerns about this proposal is the vast amount of radioactive waste rock and dust, called tailings, that the mine will produce, which will remain on-site for millennia, long after the mine is closed," Ms Xamon said.

"It is deplorable that Toro still has not provided a full mine closure plan, including details about how to manage the radioactive waste, yet the Government is pushing ahead with an approvals process.

"Uranium mine tailings are notoriously difficult to contain and therefore are a threat to human health if people breathe in the dust as well as posing a risk of contaminating groundwater and surface water.

"Minister Marmion’s announcement also fails to address how the high water demands of the proposed mine water will be met, especially a few years into the project.

"This is a major concern for the region given the fact that if approved, the project would need 2.5 gigalitres a year and Toro has provided very little evidence about how it would supply the project’s full water needs.

"Once again the Greens call on the Minister to reassess Toro’s Wiluna Uranium Project by the way of a public inquiry, as this is the only way to properly investigate the important concerns that have been repeatedly raised and ignored throughout this process," Ms Xamon said.

Hon Alison Xamon MLC

Member for the East Metropolitan Region

Office: 62 Eighth Ave Maylands WA 6051

Postal Address: PO Box 104 Maylands WA 6931

Phone: (08) 9272 1718

Fax: (08) 9272 1719

Portfolios: Water, Urban Bushland, Mental Health, Education, Training, Industrial Relations, Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, Disabilities, Women, Children & Youth, Public Service, Community Services,Electoral Affairs, Consumer Protection, Vet Affairs, Volunteering