Uranium mining the gundjeihmi aboriginal corporation. The company lacks the commitment, capacity and competence to conduct such a dangerous trade in such a special place and the recent fire is further proof that it is time to close the chapter on uranium mining in kakadu. Uranium mining, waste and indigenous australia overland. The long and controversial history of uranium mining in. Glenn campbell it creates a fitting mood for a place facing an uncertain future. Kakadu is the longtime home to the aboriginal mirrar people, as well as a recent intruder. Read the new uranium mining boom challenge and lessons learned by available from rakuten kobo. Dirt cheap 30 years on includes rare footage of mirarr senior traditional owner toby gangale stating clear opposition to mining on his country and documents his prescient concerns about uranium.
Kakadu national park, located in the northern territory of australia, possesses within its boundaries a number of large uranium deposits. The navajo people and uranium mining contributes to the growing scholarship on the atomic west and should be read by those interested in modern native american history and health, atomic and mining history, and oral history. Kakadu owners want to stop uranium mining newscomau. Mitigation of uranium mining impacts on society and. The valley was declared a national park in 1982 and now it is a world heritage site. A recent and brief colonial history has given rise to a nation state that. Download fulltext pdf the history of uranium mining and the navajo people article pdf available in american journal of public health 929. A shy, 36 yearold aboriginal woman, margarula was born in the bush of the south alligator area. The smaller no 2 orebody is close to mount brockman, an aboriginal sacred site, and will not be mined. History of uranium mining in kakadu ground view of the ranger processing facilities. Tourmaline from jabiluka uranium deposit, kakadu, west.
Pdf the history of uranium mining and the navajo people. Nonradiological contaminants from uranium mining and milling. Australia has a sorry history of poor or failed mine rehabilitation and ranger cannot be allowed to join this list. It shows how the australian federal government overrode the human rights of kakadu s traditional owners in order to impose a toxic industry in a world. Mining of orebody no 1 was completed in 1994 while mining of orebody no 3 commenced in may 1997. In the 1970s, kakadus alligator river system became the focal point of europes uranium demands. Uranium mining and the threat to kakadu green left.
The best source to cover the upsc ias syllabus is ncerts textbooks. During the past twenty years, the mines health impact on the local indigenous community has not been investigated despite over 120 leaks of contaminated water. Upsc geology books download ias geology optional booklist. The kakadu charter was refined and signed at a time of great stress for the mirarr people, against a backdrop of concerted company and government pressure for uranium mining at jabiluka. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you. Ranger mine ranger uranium mine, kakadu, west arnhem region. Located in the kakadu national park about 230 kilometres east of darwin. The examination was undertaken as part of the objective to provide geological information to. Jul 23, 2017 jabiru is a small town on a countdown. Nov 21, 20 a second safety breach in less than a month from the ranger uranium mine in the northern territory has angered traditional owners of kakadu national park. Built right in the center of the mirrar homeland, the ranger uranium mine is one of the largest uranium mines in the world. Such wastes also contain nonradiological contaminants heavy metals, acids and neutral ising agents which give rise to potential longterm health and environmental hazards and shortterm hazards to the aquatic ecosystem, e.
Kakadu national park is one of the newest and biggest of australias national parks. The kakadu charter which helped stop a uranium mine marks 15. Dramatic landscape kakadu has a very unique and dramatic landscape with stunning flood plains, gorges, billabongs, woodlands, rock plateaux, rock escarpments and. Based on the current understanding of uranium deposits in the commonwealth of virginia, extraction of uranium ore would use openpit mining, or underground mining, or a combination of both.
Kakadus geological attractions clues to the geological history of kakadu are found throughout the park escarpment 140 million years ago kakadu was under a shallow sea. Nov 28, 2014 the ranger uranium mine in kakadu national park, with its tailing dams almost full after the wet season. Kakadu has been burnt but it is era who should be in the firing line. A 2006 paper by the australian institute of aboriginal and torres strait islander studies showed that cancer cases doubled among aborigines near australias biggest uranium mine, the ranger mine in kakadu national park. Is the australian government justified to mine for uranium here. In the late 1970s, the federal government was keen to open up uranium mining in the kakadu region. Impact of uranium mining on aboriginal communities in the northern territory irene wilson. Protection from the hazards from radioactivity is of prime importance in the management of uranium mine and mill wastes. Although exploration for uranium began in the top end as early as 1944, the first uranium was found in kakadu at coronation hill in 1953 by a geologist from the commonwealth bureau of mineral research. Deep inside kakadu national park, the tiny network of bushlined streets and a tired shopping precinct was originally built in 1982 to service the community.
The ranger uranium mine in kakadu national park, with its tailing dams almost full after the wet season. It provides a brief history of the park including the conflicts between uranium mining and conservation, environmental and economic needs as well as various interest groups including local and the indigenous communities living around the park. Oct 14, 2011 the mine should not be expanded and this video outlines the main arguments against its expansion. The author has a very engaging style, that keeps one interested all the way through the book. The impact of mining in kakadu national park essay 622 words. A geological study of stone artefacts in the collection of. Orion magazine uranium mining, native resistance, and the. The promises never last but the problems always do. Nov, 2010 the impact of mining in kakadu national park this report will explain the impact of mining in kakadu national park and what effect it has on such topics as marine life, flora and fauna, tourism, climate and the history of kakadu national park. It shows how the australian federal government overrode the human rights of kakadus traditional owners in order to impose a toxic industry in a world. Three uranium deposits ranger, jabiluka and koongarra were never included in the.
Kakadu national park is the only world heritage site in australia that is recognised for both its natural and cultural importance. The australian conservation foundation has welcomed the acknowledgement by embattled uranium miner energy resources of australia that there is no future for uranium mining in kakadu. The closure plan has been assessed by rio tinto but is still undergoing a feasibility assessment. The mining has been controversial, due to the widespread publicity regarding the potential danger of nuclear power and. Nov 16, 2015 the kakadu charter was refined and signed at a time of great stress for the mirarr people, against a backdrop of concerted company and government pressure for uranium mining at jabiluka. Nabarlek mine, west arnhem region, northern territory, australia. Pdf the australian movement against uranium mining. It is surrounded by, but separate from kakadu national park, 230 km east of darwin. Rehabilitating the ranger uranium mine the university of sydney.
This is a fascinating book about the history of uranium. Home uranium mining in kakadu national park libguides at. This paper is an examination of the impact of uranium mining on aboriginal communities in the northern territory. Mining and commercial production of uranium concentrate have been underway since 1981.
Uranium mining in kakadu key events and development. Such wastes also contain nonradiological contaminants heavy metals, acids and neutralising agents which give rise to potential longterm health and environmental hazards and shortterm hazards to the aquatic ecosystem, e. Nonradiological contaminants from uranium mining and. Uranium mining is a continuing issue for indigenous communities. Home uranium mining in kakadu national park libguides. Ips melbourne at first glance, yvonne margarula appears an unlikely candidate to be leading a battle against one of australias largest mining companies. Polluted water leaking into kakadu from uranium mine. Orion magazine uranium mining, native resistance, and. The mirarr, traditional landowners of the northeast of kakadu national park, believe that they bear the responsibility of what happens on their land and thus they bear the emotional responsibility if the uranium is used, say, in making nuclear weapons. Big bill neidjie contemplates the impact of uranium mining. After an extended struggle and nation wide campaign in support of the traditional owners that involved a coalition of diverse indigenous, environmental and social activists and groups, and included blockades against the mining operations, public actions against the. It shows how the australian federal government overrode the human rights of kakadu. The sea cliffs forming the shoreline are now the dramatic escarpment wall that can be seen at gunlom, jim jim, and twin falls and from the gunwardewarde lookout at nourlangie. Uranium mining has long caused controversy in the kakadu region.
The orebody was discovered in late 1969, and the mine commenced operation in 1980, reaching full production of uranium oxide in 1981. They are being dragged into meetings two and three times a week, and so they are under enormous pressure on these mining questions. Uranium mining in kakadu at a crucial point conspiracyoz. Publication date 1906 topics mines and mineral resources. Kakadu is also special because it contains within its perimeter significant mining activity and.
Tourism, the creation of national parks and mining interests were all enclosed under the. Of the three mines considered by this study, the ranger mine in kakadu. A textbook of mining geology for the use of mining. The ranger uranium mine is a uranium mine in the northern territory of australia.
The jabiluka site is surrounded by the beautiful world heritage kakadu wetlands. Kakadu national park, located in the northern territory of australia, possesses within its. This video which goes for about 6 minutes and published in 20 gives a great overview of kakadu national park. Big bill neidjie contemplates the impact of uranium mining on djabulugka billabong, jabiluka, kakadu national park, 1995 picture sarah george picture bib id. The long and controversial history of uranium mining in australia. For the geologist, the present is the key to the past. The new uranium mining boom ebook by 9783642221224. First cab off the rank was the ranger mine which was imposed on local communities despite the clear opposition of the of mirarr traditional owners the nearby jabiluka deposit, also on mirarr land, was next in line. Big bill neidjie contemplates the impact of uranium mining on. A textbook of mining geology for the use of mining students and miners. Protection of the environment near the ranger uranium mine. Agreements between the mining industry and indigenous people are not.
Jul 01, 2007 the navajo people and uranium mining contributes to the growing scholarship on the atomic west and should be read by those interested in modern native american history and health, atomic and mining history, and oral history. Brown falcons or whistling kites are a constant presence above this part of kakadu national park. A uranium mine owned by energy resources of australia. To convey a sense of the mirarrs experience of imposed uranium mining, gundjeihmi in partnership with our colleagues at the environment centre nt created dirt cheap 30 years on. Peter ker au november 29, 2014 the ranger uranium mine in kakadu national park, with its tailing dams almost full after the wet season. The traditional mirarr owners said the government had indicated they would be given ownership of jabiru, a mining town in kakadu, if they reversed their opposition to mining jabiluka. It is operated by energy resources of australia, a 68% subsidiary of rio tinto group. Valley of flowers national park is an indian national park, located in west himalaya, in the state of uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora.
History search translate english to spanish english to portuguese english to korean english to arabic english to french english to russian english to chinese simplified english to chinese traditional english to german english to italian english to japanese spanish to english portuguese to english korean to english french to english. It is essential that the new postmining chapter at ranger reflects a new way of working, said acf campaigner dave sweeney. End of era for uranium mining in kakadu australian. Apr 07, 2011 kakadu owners want to stop uranium mining kakadu traditional owners say the nuclear crisis in japan has only strengthened their resolve to oppose uranium mining at jabiluka. Green left is a vital socialchange project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. Ranger mine ranger uranium mine, kakadu, west arnhem. Aborigines win veto on kakadu uranium mining published by mac on 20050225. Whiting out aboriginality in making news and making history. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet.
However, upsc optionals subjects will require reading of few reference books to gain insights on topics that are not provided in the school textbooks. Issues at operating uranium mines and mills ranger, australia. The future of uranium mining in the kakadu national park. Energy resources of australia today informed the asx that the mirarr traditional owners have refused to extend eras authority to operate the ranger uranium mine. Peter garret has said he will closely study a proposal to expand the ranger uranium mine in. Senior traditional owner yvonne margarula says that with mining. A second safety breach in less than a month from the ranger uranium mine in the northern territory has angered traditional owners of kakadu national park. The book presents the results from the uranium mining and hydrogeology conference umh vi held in september 2011, in fr. A textbook of mining geology for the use of mining students and miners by park, james. Ranger mine ranger uranium mine, kakadu, west arnhem region, northern territory, australia. The examination was undertaken as part of the objective to provide geological information to park staff to assist in.
The kakadu charter which helped stop a uranium mine marks. Primarily, it is about the mining of uranium, and secondarily about its use in bombs and in nuclear power plants, and the security or lack of it surrounding the mineral. The expansion of the ranger uranium mine at kakadu youtube. The artefact collection at kakadu national park headquarters was examined in july 1990, during a field visit to kakadu by rs needham undertaken as part of bmrs environmental geoscience program.
Its status is due not only to its scenic beauty and tourist potential, but also because it contains important biological ecosystems and aspects of aboriginal culture. The ultimate plan for ranger was that the site would be rehabilitated and incorporated in kakadu, though that now seems. Kakadu owners want to stop uranium mining kakadu traditional owners say the nuclear crisis in japan has only strengthened their resolve to oppose uranium mining. Australia has a long history of substandard mine closure and rehabilitation in the. Dramatic landscape kakadu has a very unique and dramatic landscape with stunning flood plains, gorges, billabongs, woodlands, rock plateaux, rock escarpments and plummeting waterfalls. Fifteen years ago the mirarr were also at the forefront of protest action escalating across australia and around the world in opposition to the plans by energy. The spectacular and diverse geology of kakadu is recognised in the world heritage listing of the park. The uranium is legally owned by the australian government, and is sold internationally, having a large effect on the australian economy.
Many environmentalists have said that the new jabiluka mine will be a hole in a donut, and it certainly seems the case. It is surrounded by, but separate from kakadu national park, 230 km east of. These general terms incorporate a large variety of design possibilitiesthere are as many methods of mining uranium as there are orebody sizes, shapes, and mineral constituents. A textbook of mining geology for the use of mining students. The mine should not be expanded and this video outlines the main arguments against its expansion. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet.
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