Critical Times

Concerned citizens have gathered outside of Adelaide’s Hilton Hotel this morning in opposition to the annual Paydirt Uranium Conference 2008.

“South Australians are currently experiencing the hottest March on record. As climate change further restricts SA’s precious water, Friends of the Earth is calling for a framework that acknowledges and protects the integrity of Australia’s unique groundwater resources,” said Friends of the Earth campaigner Shani Burdon.

“Under the Roxby Downs Indenture Ratification Act, the Olympic Dam mine is granted permission to withdraw 42 million litres of free water from the Great Artesian Basin every day. It makes no sense that while citizens are bucketing water to keep their vegie patches alive, BHP Billiton’s draw continues unabated” Ms. Burdon said.

“We are also witnessing a resurgence of the controversial in-situ leach (ISL) mining method throughout the state, for example at the proposed Oban lease, in the north-east of the state. The ISL method involves dumping sulphuric acid and radioactive and heavy metals waste into groundwater without any legal responsibility for the mining company to rehabilitate the site,” said Friends of the Earth campaigner Peter Burdon.

“No more than ever South Australia needs a legal framework that protects Australia’s groundwater resources, rather than gifting them to the mining industry to suck up or spoil with mine waste,” said Mr Burdon.

For further comment, please contact
Peter Burdon 0439 294 386
Shani Burdon 0412 844 410