Uranium in Queensland
Queensland currently has no uranium mines. However, uranium exploration is underway in our state, despite the Labor state governments "no mines" policy on uranium.
FoEB and the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance want Queensland to remain uranium-mine free for the heath, safety and peaceness of people living today and into the future.
Queensland has many energy options, nuclear need not be one of them.
See also:
[WISE: Issues at Operating Uranium Mines and Mills - Australia]
[Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia]
Australians oppose uranium mining
The Australian people do not want uranium mining: A 2005 Morgan Newspoll of 662 Australians showed that 70% of Australians and 77% of ALP voters are opposed to the development of any new uranium mines.
Uranium for power is poor energy strategy
Uranium for power is not a long-term energy strategy: Uranium deposits for power provision are estimated to last between just 4 and 50 years; Neither the US nor the EU have any plans to renew their aging nuclear power plants, some of which are being decommissioned, decreasing demand; (2005: Jim Green, FoEA).
FoEA Report: Nuclear Power No Solution to Climate Change [pdf]
Uranium mining endangers indigenous cultural and health values
The health, cultural values and sovereignty of local indigenous peoples is endangered by uranium mining.
[WISE: Uranium Mining and Indigenous People]
[Democracy Now: The Navajo Nation's Ongoing Battle with Uranium Mining]
Uranium mining is dangerous for workers
Uranium mining puts workers at increased risk: Besides the usual accidents inherent in mining, uranium add the extra danger of lung and cancer-related disease for workers inhaling uranium dust and exposure to radon;
[WISE Uranium Project: Health Hazards for Uranium Miners and Mill Workers]
[British Columbia Medical Association: Health Dangers of Uranium mining]
Uranium mining damages the environment
There have been numerous tailings dam failures worldwide, including the 1994 discovery of a four year long leak at Olympic Dam.
Uranium mining wastes water
In-situ leach mining uses huge quantities of water to process yellowcake. Olympic Dam in South Australia, for instance, uses 60 million litres of water per day.
The water is made radioactive and highly acidic. It is left in tailings dams where it continues to contaminate the environment. Queensland already has water use conflict issues, why put our existing water at risk?
[ANAWA: Ancient Mound Springs]
No market for Qld uranium
There is no market for Queensland uranium: The demand for uranium ensured by Howard's recent deal with China is easily met by the Olympic Dam mine in South Australia at current production levels, which is soon to be expanding; ABARE forecast that uranium will decrease in value as demand is expected to decrease (March 1, 2006:p33 The Australian,"Local miners miss the uranium boat")
Despite a ban on uranium mining in QLD, mining companies have been doing uranium exploration for many years.
FoEB Breifing Paper: Uranium exploration in Qld May 2006
Queensland can do better : renewables
Queensland can do better: The Queensland Government already has some great energy projects underway, including geothermal, solar and wind projects that we would like to see increased funding directed to.
The global demand for wind power and solar energy is rising at rates of 20 to 30 per cent a year.
[Worldwatch Institute: Making Better Energy Choices]
[AGO: Renewable Energy Commercialisation in Australia]
30 years of Creative Resistance, A History of FoE Australia documents the grass roots work of our organisation. RRP $20. Ph: 07 3846 5793 to order a copy. All proceeds go to FoEBs environmental and social justice campaigns.