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Case study: uranium mining in Kakadu
Topic : Case study: uranium mining in Kakadu
In this topic you will learn...
Chapter 1 :
Geographical process
The debate over uranium mining in Kakadu National Park has been highly controversial
The campaign to stop mining at Jabiluka was one of the biggest Australia has seen
Kakadu is Australia's second-largest National Park and was World Heritage listed in 1981
Kakadu is extremely rich in uranium ore reserves
Australia ranks first in the world for Economic Demonstrated Resources of uranium
Mining exports account for about five per cent of Australia's Gross Domestic Product
Uranium is a radioactive metal found beneath the Earth's surface
Water discharged from uranium mines contains traces of radioactive contaminants
Uranium is primarily used for medical purposes and to generate nuclear power
Uranium can also be used to make nuclear weapons
Chapter 2 :
Perceptions of different groups
For the traditional land owners the debate over Jabiluka was an issue of social justice
The Mirarr people thought loss of their 'Aboriginal living tradition' was the biggest threat
The mining industry proposed the concept of 'multiple land-use' in their argument
Energy Resources Australia Ltd (ERA) argued that the income generated from Jabiluka would benefit all Australians
ERA argued that operation of the mine would not compromise the environment
ERA argued that mining had already enhanced the area through providing infrastructure
ERA argued that mining would create employment, business and tourism opportunities
The mining industry argued that nuclear power was cleaner than fossil fuel-driven power
Environmental groups argued many ecosystems would be affected by mining
Environmentalists claimed that safety standards had been breached at the other mines
Chapter 3 :
Decision-making process and outcomes
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) (Cth) was passed in 1976
The Act is central to understanding the debate over mining at Jabiluka
The Northern Land Council (NLC) was created to oversee land management in the area
Under the Act, traditional land owners were granted the power to veto mining proposals
Under the Act, the government can override the traditional land owners' power of veto
The NLC approved a mineral lease for Jabiluka in 1982
Some claim the circumstances surrounding this agreement were questionable
Mining companies need approval from the federal government before acquiring a lease
Pancontinental received initial approval to mine from the Fraser Government in 1979
The Hawke Government withdrew Pancontinental's approval to export uranium in 1983
Chapter 4 :
Individual, group and international responses
Yvonne Margarula and Jacqui Katona were individuals who campaigned to stop mining
Both women were recipients of prestigious environmental awards for their efforts
Over a period of eight months in 1998, around 5000 people participated in protests
Protests against mining at Jabiluka were held internationally, not just within Australia
Many non-government organisations helped spread news of the anti-Jabiluka campaign
The mine was also opposed by political parties and advisory bodies within Australia
The European parliament expressed formal opposition to the Jabiluka mine
In 1998 UNESCO conducted an inquiry into whether Kakadu was 'in danger'
The Australian Government reported to UNESCO there was no reason to stop mining
In 1999 UNESCO declared that Kakadu National Park was not 'in danger'
Chapter 5 :
Process of management
The initial Jabiluka Mineral Lease was obtained in 1982
The permit allowing companies to export uranium from Jabiluka was suspended in 1983
Proposals to mine and export Jabiluka's uranium were re-approved in 1997
ERA mined at Jabiluka for a short period between 1998 and 1999
ERA had intended to process the uranium ore extracted from Jabiluka at the Ranger site
In 1999 the Mirarr people exercised their power of veto over milling the uranium offsite
The uranium that was extracted from Jabiluka was never actually processed
Reports have revealed that environmental standards at Ranger had been breached
Incidents of mismanagement have led to leaks of radioactive contaminants at Ranger
Since 2005 any future mining at Jabiluka needs the consent of the traditional owners
Chapter 6 :
Implications for sustainability, social justice and equity
Many argue that nuclear power is much more sustainable than other energy sources
Nuclear power is argued to be a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel energy
Switching to nuclear power would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Nuclear power presents risks to plant and animal biodiversity and human safety
Expanding the nuclear energy industry increases the threat of nuclear war
Uranium exported from Australia is used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants
In terms of social justice, the battle to stop mining was a success for the Mirarr people
Jabiluka reflected a lack of equity between our Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
Land rights legislation can compromise the rights of traditional land owners
Royalties received by the Mirarr people have been used to provide basic services
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