uranium news

Radioactive waste problem in Malaysia lingers for Lynas rare earths company

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:36:07 +0000

Locals say market won’t buy Lynas’ recycled waste, Malaysia, By Shannon Teoh, January 26, 2012 KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — Lynas Corp’s plans to recycle waste from its controversial RM2.5 billion rare earth plant in Kuantan into a commercial product will not be accepted by the market, local residents opposed to the refinery said today.

The Stop Lynas Coalition (SLC) and Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) groups said in a joint submission to the government that the synthetic gypsum the Australian miner hopes to produces from its waste is the subject of an international safety campaign due to radiation fears. The use of phospho-gypsum plaster-board and plaster cement in buildings as a substitute for natural gypsum may constitute an additional source of radiation exposure to both workers and members of the public,” the document quoted from Internet-based environmental organisation Zero Waste America.

“The American Gypsum Association does not accept gypsum made with contaminated materials. Contaminated gypsum in the USA has resulted in a class action against the supplier and the importers,” the groups said.

The two residents groups presented the document today after the end of the public viewing and feedback period for Lynas’ long-term waste management plan that must be approved by regulators before it begins operations.

Local residents and environmentalists have criticised Lynas Corp for not having a long-term waste management plan and claimed the company would store radioactive waste onsite, which is about 2km from the nearest residential area.

But Lynas has said a permanent depository facility (PDF) for radioactive waste from its controversial rare earth plant will only be needed in a “worst-case scenario” where it is unable to reprocess its waste into commercial products…..

its water leach purification (WLP) residue is projected to have a radiation level of 6 Bq/g, regarded as “very low-level” radioactive waste.

But Lynas, which received an additional funding boost of RM700 million this week through the sale of bonds, says it is “very confident” it can dilute the WLP to below 1 Bq/g to be used as a base in road building.

The anti-Lynas groups also questioned today whether the market “can fully absorb the colossal amount produced given that Lynas will be producing at least 300,000 tonnes of contaminated waste every year.”

Putrajaya bowed to public pressure in April after sustained opposition from local residents and environmentalists due to fears of radiation pollution and put the project on ice pending a review by international experts.

In July, the government agency adopted 11 recommendations set out by the review and said it would not allow Lynas to begin operations or import rare earth ore until all conditions, which include a comprehensive, long-term and detailed plan for managing radioactive waste, are met.

According to Lynas, regulators Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) will meet on January 30 to decide on whether to issue a pre-operating licence which will be followed by a full licence within two years if the plant meets safety requirements outlined in its application.

Lynas is anticipating a windfall of RM8 billion a year from 2013 onwards from the manufacture of rare earth metals that are crucial to the manufacture of high-technology products such as smartphones, hybrid cars and bombs. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/locals-say-market-wont-buy-lynas-recycled-waste

Filed under: RARE EARTHS

Australian Aboriginal hero who won for his land against uranium mining

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:34:09 +0000

Territorians recognised in Australia Day honours, ABC News, By Emma Masters January 26, 2012 Four Northern Territorians have been recognised for their contribution to the community with the highest Australia Day honours.

Traditional owner Jeffrey Lee has been made a member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his conservation work in Kakadu National Park.

Mr Lee, who now works as a ranger in the park, offered his uranium-rich country to be included in Kakadu for free, and fought for it to be recognised as a World Heritage Area within the park.

He says he did not expect to receive an award for protecting the country he loves, and he appreciates the support he has been given along the way.

“I love the park,” he said.

“It is good that I get out and look on my country.”….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-26/20120126-territory-orders-of-australia/3794570?section=nt

Filed under: indigenous

Uranium mining- a dangerous industry with a doubtful future

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:25:35 +0000

Uranium Sector Hit by Mining Safety Fears Oil Price, By Dave Forest , 10 January 2011 “….. the Electrical Trades Union of Queensland and the Northern Territory is banning its members from working in any nuclear-related facilities. Including uranium mines and nuclear power stations.

The Union is worried about the health dangers of uranium and nuclear power. In an anti-uranium video released by the group, the narrator notes, “This is dangerous stuff. It has no place in society.”

Union spokesman Peter Simpson further says, “We are sending a clear message to the industry and the wider community that vested interests in the uranium and nuclear industries are trying to hoodwink us about this dangerous product and industry.”….. a group of this stature taking such a heavy-handed stance against uranium cannot be ignored.

Ultimately, this could be a setback for the Aussie uranium business. Particularly if other workers follow the electricians’ suit.

In the bigger picture, the Union’s move illustrates the huge challenges the world faces in bringing on new uranium supplies. Right or wrong, the radioactive metal will always be viewed in a more cautious light by workers, local communities and governments.

Anti-uranium protests are inevitable, and will probably slow or stop completely some of the world’s yellowcake projects. One more hurdle for an industry that’s already having a hard time finding new, economic deposits in order to meet global demand. …. exploration and development companies will need to think hard about what projects they pursue. Not only are size, grade and infrastructure a consideration. Companies will also have to think about the surrounding communities, the attitudes of the regional populace, and the stance of host governments when it comes to uranium.

Throw all of these factors in the mix, and it’s going to be extra tough to make new mines. http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Uranium-Sector-Hit-By-Mining-Safety-Fears.html

Filed under: economics, health

Ranger uranium mine in danger of floods

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:24:18 +0000

Australia’s ERA warns rains to hit uranium output again SYDNEY, Jan 12 (Reuters) – Energy Resources of Australia warned on Thursday that recent flooding caused by monsoon rains in northern Australia will continue to restrict its production of uranium in 2012.

Production at the company’s Ranger mine — which in previous years supplied as much as 10 percent of the world’s uranium — was halted by heavy rains in early in 2011 and did not resume until mid-June.

A second deluge in December that dumped record rains across parts of the tropical Northern Territory meant ERA would be unable to readily mine richer ores at the bottom of the lode, it said.

“As a result, access to the high grade ore located at the bottom of the pit will be delayed and is highly dependent on rainfall
experienced for the remainder of the 2011/2012 wet season,” said ERA, 68 percent owned by Rio Tinto but separately listed on the Australian bourse….. Analyst are expecting the company to show a loss on earnings before interest and tax of around A$61 million against a profit of A$68.4 million in 2010.

The stock has plummeted more than 80 percent in the last 12 months, in part due to negative sentiment toward uranium companies following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan last March…..
http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFL3E8CB8ZU20120111?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Filed under: ERA, global warming, Ranger

Investigation needed on radioactive transport, following a train derailment in NT

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:22:56 +0000

Environment Centre NT calls for EPA investigation radioactive spill, 2 Jan 2012 The train derailment at Edith River spilling 1200 tonnes of copper concentrate into the flooded environment, which may have contained 0.01% of uranium, has urged the Environment Centre NT to call on the EPA for a full investigation.

“We have now learnt that the NT Government approved the transport of these toxic materials in substandard casing, covered only by a tarp. We want to know which department and which minister had signed off on this outrageous exemption” Said Cat Beaton, Nuclear Free NT Campaigner at the Environment Centre NT.

“This incident is a serious warning, that must trigger serious action. We will be writing to the EPA requesting a full investigation”.

“NT Government should not approve any increased transport of radioactive materials by rail until such an independent investigation has been undertaken,” continued Ms Beaton.

The Northern Territory is at the dawn of increased transport of toxic and radioactive materials. The expansion of BHP’s Olympic Dam mine in SA is set to see 1.6 million tonnes a year of uranium infused copper concentrate transported daily by 1.8km long trainloads for the next 80-plus years.

The Territory could also face the reality of radioactive waste transport for a proposed nuclear waste dump at Muckaty, 120ks north of Tennant Creek.

“Right now the Territory Government cannot be trusted to ensure the safe transport of dangerous goods and we all need to think about the risks to our rivers, environment and the outdoors lifestyle that Territorians enjoy,” concluded Ms Beaton.

Filed under: safety

Uranium transport getting more costly, with insurance worries

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:21:12 +0000

it was unclear whether the incident would raise premiums for miners

By far the biggest user of the railway will be BHP Billiton, which, if it approves its expected expansion of the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in South Australia, will run a train a day from the mine to Darwin. …..

OZ Minerals’ insurance claim for derailment loss may face complication over pollution BY: MATT CHAMBERS The Australian January 02, 2012 OZ Minerals may recoup through insurance some of the losses from the up to 1200 tonnes of copper concentrate that disappeared into the Northern Territory’s Edith River last week after a train derailed. In an announcement to the stock exchange on Thursday, OZ said the value of the lost concentrates was between $US7 million ($6.85m) and $US8m, or about 4 per cent of its 2010-11 underlying net profit of $189m.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman confirmed that the company was in talks with
insurers about the lost concentrate. She said she could not comment
further because the derailment on the Adelaide-to-Darwin line that
spilled the concentrate cars into the river was still under
investigation by authorities.

On Thursday, after OZ announced the derailment to the stock exchange,
its shares slipped 2.9 per cent, which was followed by a 1 per cent
fall on Friday that left the share price at $10.01. A mining insurance
broker, who asked not to be named, said there was too little
information to make an informed guess on the outcome, but any ruling
that OZ had polluted the river could complicate the claim.

He said it was unclear whether the incident would raise premiums for
miners, particularly because many miners self-insure their rail
journeys.

The miner most affected by the derailment, which is expected to close
the railway between Alice Springs and Darwin for more than two weeks,
is OM Holdings……
By far the biggest user of the railway will be BHP Billiton, which, if
it approves its expected expansion of the Olympic Dam copper and
uranium mine in South Australia, will run a train a day from the mine
to Darwin. …..
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/oz-minerals-insurance-claim-for-derailment-loss-may-face-complication-over-pollution/story-e6frg9df-1226234407238

Filed under: economics

Uranium concentrates going from Australia to China

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:20:01 +0000

Australia’s Energy Metals to Ship Uranium Concentrates to Shanghai, Commodities and Futures 30 Dec11, By Esther Tanquintic-Misa | Australia will be soon seeing its first uranium concentrate shipment, after Chinese-owned Energy Metals signed an agreement to ship third-party uranium from Adelaide to its parent company in Shanghai.

China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co. (CGNPC) owns 60 per cent of Australian-listed Energy Metals. It is one of two Chinese companies authorized to import and export uranium in China, Energy Metals will export 150,000 pounds (68 tonnes) of uranium oxide concentrate to Shanghai at $53 a pound, no later than April 30, 2012.

Energy Metals, however, will not identify the seller of the $8 million shipment. Energy Metals said it is still discussing with CGNPC to sell the concentrate, where it expects to generate a profit from the sale. Before the Fukushima nuclear disaster affected uranium markets, Energy
Metals had received federal government approval to export third-party uranium.

Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade showed that since 2006, uranium expors to China have been controlled. The first was in 2008 by Energy Resources of Australia, while BHP made a trial in 2009. Uranium displacements from Australia last year reached a record 431 tonnes. However, this represents only 7 per cent of the 5,926 tonnes transferred, where half went to the US. http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/274333/20111230/australia-s-energy-metals-ship-uranium-concentrates.htm

Filed under: politics

Dangers of transporting radioactive materials through Australia’s Northern territory

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:18:33 +0000

Audio: Questions raised over toxic goods transport in the Northern Territory ABC Radio AM December 29, 2011 While government officials are investigating the cause and the environmental impact of a serious train derailment in the Northern Territory, a Territory Environment group has raised questions over the safety of transporting uranium in tropical weather conditions.

Michael Coggan MICHAEL COGGAN: Forty-eight hours after floodwaters swept part of a large freight train into the Edith River and cut off the Stuart Highway north of the Top End town of Katherine, several investigations are underway into the cause of the train derailment and the environmental impact of tonnes of copper concentrate spilled into the flooded Edith River from the freight train.

Jim Grant is the head of the Northern Territory Environment Department. JIM GRANT: Well it’s not a highly toxic substance but it’s not to be ingested or inhaled. We think it’s washed all over the place…..

MICHAEL COGGAN: Environment Centre director Stuart Blanch says the accident shows why dangerous goods including uranium oxide should not be carried on the Alice Springs to Darwin railway.

STUART BLANCH: A much bigger risk to Top End rivers would be derailment of trains carrying uranium oxide from the Roxby Uranium Mine in South Australia. The Territory Government should call a halt on approving the transport of more and more trains of uranium oxide up to Port Darwin until there are really adequate, safe measures in place to stop such a derailment ever happening with uranium on the track.

MICHAEL COGGAN: But Chief Minister Paul Henderson doesn’t want to speculate about the implications for the transport of uranium in the Northern Territory…. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-29/questions-raised-over-toxic-goods-transport-in-the/3750842?section=nt

Filed under: safety

Australian Capital Territory and most States ban uranium mining

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:17:16 +0000

Olga Galacho reports in the Herald Sun , 19 Dec “….In Western Australia, a pro-uranium conservative government faces a Labor Opposition that wants the mining banned. It is in WA that Toro will next year begin extracting uranium for the first time in that state from its $300 million Wiluna mine.

In Queensland, a state Labor government opposes uranium mining, unlike the Labor governments in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

In NSW and Victoria, freshly elected conservative governments have maintained their Labor predecessors’ ban on uranium
exploration……”It takes two election cycles to get a uranium operation up and running and in Australia, this is considered too high a political risk.”…..”

Filed under: politics

South Australian government effectively snubs Aboriginals over legal requirements

Christina MacPherson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:16:15 +0000

The Government, however, remains silent on its responsibility in implementing the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act,

“The traditional owners”.. are not even named in this news release.

The traditional owner group, known as the Yura Language Consultative Group, is disappointed the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs has failed to investigate its requests for a ministerial determination over the Beverley Four Mile and Mt Gee area as being culturally significant and intimately connected, despite a legal obligation to do so under the SA Aboriginal Heritage Act.

Marsh: Cultural significance snubbed, The Advertiser, by:Jillian Marsh December 14, 2011 http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/marsh-cultural-significance-snubbed/story-e6freai3-1226221235838 THE news release entitled “Arkaroola to be protected forever” by the SA Government’s pledging a commitment of “unprecedented protection” is welcome news. This protection, on the basis of a comprehensive three-step process, is particularly welcome for traditional owners – members of the Adnyamathanha community.

This announcement follows the persistent public outcry over the past few years over exploration leases being granted in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and, in particular, Mt Gee. Despite a shift in state political agencies towards a more sympathetic view of conservation concerns, all political parties remain hesitant in acknowledging the cultural significance of this region for the traditional owners.

The Government, however, remains silent on its responsibility in implementing the requirements of the Aboriginal Heritage Act, despite ministers clearly recognising the environmental uniqueness of the region from a Western conservation perspective.

The Flinders Ranges purple-spotted gudgeon, the spidery wattle and the yellow-footed rock-wallaby are hailed as significant features of “unique biodiversity” (SA Government news release, 22/7/11).

“The traditional owners”, however, are not even named in this news release.

The cultural significance to the Adnyamathanha community apparently is unknown or simply unimportant to our politicians.

As one elder responded: “It seems the protection was meant for the Varru (fish), Irta (birds), Wirti (plants) and Andu (wallaby); animals and plants get first protection, not the Yuras (First Australians).”

The handful of Adnyamathanha traditional owners who have campaigned independently to protect Mt Gee are worthy of high praise for their efforts.

As always, they are willing to share their knowledge and concerns, in the hope the resting place of Virdnimuranha (Spiritual Creator) is properly protected.

Those who have fought long and hard to protect Mt Gee still must be wondering: Is the Government finally willing to engage meaningfully with the indigenous custodians of the land? Or will this protection regimen be yet another “white wash” that will devalue our sacred sites and silence our voices?

As one member of the Adnyamathanha community, Sharon Maegher, says: “While this is a wonderful win and, of course, there are campaigners who should be thanked, I find it reprehensible that the efforts of Gilbert Coulthard, Vera Austin, Enice Marsh and Rene Mahommed go unrecognised”.

In February of this year these elders proclaimed the area as significant because it was “a resting place of gods”. They were concerned that their and their fathers’ wishes were being ignored by mining companies and the Government.

The ideological shift from eurocentric land use and Western understandings of conservation to inclusive and culturally respectful property rights and a sustainable land use framework has yet to happen in Australia.

– Dr Jillian Marsh is a researcher and member of the Adnyamathanha community. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/marsh-cultural-significance-snubbed/story-e6freai3-1226221235838

Filed under: Beverley Four Mile, indigenous, legal