From: Andrea Tappe [Andrea@qsr.com.au]
Sent: Thursday, 25 July 2002 1:17 PM
To: 'ecita.sen@aph.gov.au'
Subject: Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Environmental
Regulatio n of Uranium Mining

The Secretary
Senate ECITA References Committee
Parliament House
Canberra   ACT   2600

Via e-mail

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to urge you most strongly to reconsider the current
environmental guidelines governing the extraction and processing of uranium
in Australia. 
Environmental standards have been driven down and public accountability
denied at both the Honeymoon and Beverley acid in situ leach (ISL) mines in
South Australia. As well as polluting groundwater by impacts of mining and
of waste discharge, ISL uranium mining has serious problems with surface
leaks and spills. 
The Beverley mine has had four significant leaks this year alone. Leaks and
environmental breaches have also beset the Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu
(operated by ERA). One incident found uranium levels up to 70 times higher
in Kakadu National Park than the reporting standard. Over 110 environmental
breaches have been documented at the Ranger uranium mine. 
I ask this Committee to implement the following measures as a matter of
urgency:
*	Commit to the abolition of uranium mining using the ISL technique.
Australia is the only country in the world where this dangerous technique is
allowed.
*	Increase the monitoring of operations, including stronger
legislation requiring mining companies to report leaks, spills and other
discharges of radioactive or contaminated waste from or within their sites.
*	Legislate more stringent rehabilitation requirements for former
uranium mines. Rehabilitation should also include assistance for displaced
Aboriginal communities, who have been forced into a dependency on mining to
survive.
*	Legislate to protect the World Heritage status of the Jabiluka
National Park. The presence of a large uranium mine so close to a site of
such immense cultural, historical and ecological importance must surely be
one of the greatest incongruities in the world today.


Thanks and regards

Andrea Tappe

Unit 8, 45-47 Collins St
THORNBURY   VIC   3071

Ph; 03 9840 1100(bh)