Laka Foundation

Publication Laka-library:
Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Uranium Mining and Milling in Australia (1996)

AuthorACF, FOE, NT
DateJuly 1996
Classification 4.22.5.10/08 (AUSTRALIA - GENERAL - GENERAL)
Front

From the publication:

Executive Summary

We welcome the establishment of this inquiry and believe that a thorough look at 
the environmental impacts arising from mining Australian uranium is well overdue. 
The Fox Inquiry conducted in the 1970s was the last such examination of the impacts
and implications of mining Australia's uranium although it recommended that "policy 
with regard to the export of uranium should be the subject of regular review".

We do say at the outset that we are opposed to the mining and milling of uranium, 
which links Australia to the international nuclear fuel cycle. Our primary concerns 
are that:
• all uranium mines in Australia have resulted in localised environmental damage;
• monitoring arrangements at Australia's uranium mines are inadequate;
• there is no safe level of exposure to radiation;
• the current and proposed uranium mine sites are on land of significance to 
Aboriginal communities and the exploration and development of these sites 
causes significant negative social impacts;
• export of uranium inherently increases the possibility of the proliferation of 
nuclear weapons;
• there is no guarantee that Australian uranium is not being used in nuclear weapons;
• there is no safe method for disposing of the radioactive waste generated by nuclear 
power plants;
• the operation of nuclear power plants poses a range of impacts on its workers, 
local communities and in the event of an accident potentially the broader region;
• the economic 'benefits' are outweighed by the long-term costs; and
• Australia has the potential to provide a lead in promoting environmentally 
friendly energy technologies.

The Australian Conservation Foundation and Friends of the Earth had significant 
input into the Fox Inquiry. Our arguments have not changed substantially since then 
but rather we believe that the events of the last twenty years reinforce our views.

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