Stop the Jabiluka mine!
Marina Cameron
Aboriginal and environment groups have united to campaign against the planned uranium mine in Kakadu National Park. They argue that the mine is irreconcilable with both the wishes of the traditional owners and the area's World Heritage listing.
On August 28, environment minister Senator Robert Hill finally announced that he had advised minister for energy and resources Warwick Parer that there is no environmental reason to stop the mine. Parer repeated this assessment on September 3, and said that a final decision would be made within a few weeks.
Numerous questions have been raised about the environmental impact statement, including the fact that it was paid for and partly produced by the project's proponent, Energy Resources Australia.
The minister's own department, in its environmental assessment report, admitted a lack of necessary baseline data "for most environmental parameters for the project area".
The report found that the company's data on water quality were inadequate, and that detailed archaeological, flora and fauna surveys had not taken place (apart from a helicopter search in 1996!).
Environmental impact
Environmental damage from the existing Ranger uranium mine within Kakadu was also not taken into account. The Ranger and Jabiluka sites have been excised from the park, but pollution doesn't respect such arbitrary borders. According to the supervising scientists' annual report of 1990-91, the Ranger mine had already caused uranium, sulphate and magnesium contamination of surrounding waterways and wetlands.
The Australian Conservation Foundation is seeking legal advice on whether Hill has properly discharged his duties under the Environment Protection Act and other legislation.
Dave Sweeney from the ACF told Green Left Weekly, "There were serious omissions — soil and vegetation surveys, the impact on migratory birds, Australia's international obligations to protect World Heritage areas, and information on the cultural values of the area."
The traditional owners, the Mirrar, have continually stated their opposition: "The Jabiluka deposit is 10 minutes from our communities, 500 metres from a major wetland system and enclosed within Kakadu National Park. One spill will mean genocide for our community and ecocide for the national park."
Jacqui Katona, executive officer of the Mirrar's Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation, explained in July: "The Ranger agreement was signed under duress. A new regime of management and control was set for our Mirrar lands, outside of the control of the traditional owners ...
"There were many promises made to our people about the benefits of mining: schools, housing, employment, health services and investments. We have no graduates of secondary education, housing is substandard, the vast majority of the community is unemployed, health services are minimal, and those strategic investments [offered in return for approving the Ranger mine] are losing value each year."
Katona said on August 21 that the Mirrar were "extremely disappointed" with the government's Kakadu Region Social Impact Statement.
Sweeney said, "Hill has abrogated his responsibility as minister. Instead of being an advocate for the protection of the environment, he has become an apologist for the exploitation of the environment. His rationale, and that of this government, is driven by an ideology of exploiting and maximising private profit from our shared natural resources."
According to the September 5 Financial Review, Parer's view is that there is an "opportunity" in the international uranium market. The government is attempting to fast-track Jabiluka as the first in a number of new mines.
The fight continues
Sweeney said, "That's the end of the governmental process, but it's a long way from the end of the fight against Jabiluka".
Katona says that the Mirrar people intend to pursue the matter, both in the courts and by campaigning for public support.
Said Sweeney, "The Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation has a Federal Court challenge to dismiss the Jabiluka lease, which is scheduled to be heard in December. We will also be taking the campaign to the international community."
Around 20 environment groups from around the world have signed a letter to the World Heritage Committee in Paris asking that Kakadu National Park be listed as "World Heritage in danger".
Campaigners point out that Jabiluka links a number of different campaigns and is important in targeting the federal government. Katona said, "The Mirrar people have successfully claimed back their land under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. They are owners, and they are being treated as tenants."
Sweeney said, "The issue includes concerns over Australia's participation in the nuclear cycle, the creation of radioactive waste, over nature conservation and land management, over Aboriginal rights and native title.
"The majority of Australians are opposed to increased uranium mining, especially in Kakadu. We want to use this to maximise the adverse electoral impact and political heat on the government. The reason the whole Jabiluka process has been so quiet, complicated and restrictive to date is that the government fears public opinion."
Successes
The campaign has already had some successes. Sweeney cited the "development of a respectful and effective working relationship with Aboriginal people in the area. Another aspect has been the involvement of young people in the campaign — people who will inherit the decisions of this government — particularly through student organisations like the National Union of Students."
A group of students from an environment conference in July visited the site on the invitation of the Mirrar as a show of solidarity.
A national week of awareness and action was held August 18-20, with actions in most capital cities. Sweeney said that there would be a role for further national actions.
"This is a growing and increasingly coordinated national campaign. In many cities, towns and regional centres, groups are currently mapping out the next steps. Regular meetings, information sessions, community displays and stalls, media work, pickets and days of action are happening all the time."
Katona said, "ERA is not going to get approval from traditional owners this year, next year or ever. We will not agree to this mine, and we will take whatever action is necessary to halt the desecration of our country, our lives and our future."
[Environmental groups are urgently requesting that letters opposing the mine be faxed to Prime Minister Howard on (06) 273 4100 or (02) 9251 5454.]
