Wednesday, 28 March, 2007

NWA

Anti-nuclear groups are dismayed at this week's announcement by miner Compass Resources of a feasibility study on its Mt Fitch uranium deposit.

The Mt Fitch deposit lies within the vicinity of Rum Jungle, the NT's first uranium mine.

Environmentalists warn that the old mine left an unparalleled legacy of radioactive pollution, and that little progress has been made on rehabilitation since it was abandoned in the 70s.

Mr Justin Tutty, from the No Waste Alliance, has accused Compass of getting ahead of themselves.

"They have yet to address clear recommendations from the EPA about the management of radioactive mine waste from the Browns project nearby."

"It is disturbing that they can consider a uranium mine, with far greater volumes of much more highly radioactive mine waste, before they begin to front up to the wastes involved in their current authorisation."

Mr Speedy McGinness, a senior Traditional Custodian for the land, says the NT should learn from the recent history of contamination at Rum Jungle.

"This is a heavily polluted site - a toxic, radioactive disaster zone."

"They can run their feasibility study; maybe it does look economically feasible. But it's not environmentally feasible to make more radioactive waste on such a badly polluted site."