Arkaroola protected from mining by legislation

[jez_au]

The Premier Mike Rann announced today that the special legislation would be introduced to ban mining at Arkaroola. In the interim under the Mining Act a proclamation will be made providing immediate protection. The legislation will be introduced later this year to ensure the area is protected forever from mining.

Yay! Finally, what the people have always wanted.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/premier-rann-flies-to-arkaroola-for-mining-announcement/story-e6frea6u-1226099365170

[peregrinator]

Thanks Jez for passing on this wonderful news. A great result and an excellent reward for all the work done by the many people opposing the mad plunder that almost resulted in yet more destruction. I'm dubious though about a government which claims (in your link) that it can be "at the same time pro-mining and pro-environment." This makes me wonder where and when the next campaign will be. It's useful to study the history of the Arkaroola sanctuary. In 1972, the "official Sanctuary & Reserve status was withdrawn by S.A. government without explanation."

[Nelse]

Yes this was fantastic news as I blogged at the time. It's about time a decision of this sort was made to put an end to uranium mining in the spectacular Mount Painter Mount Gee region of Arkaroola. If you haven't been up that way, you all really should make the effort, it is just spectacular and totally unique. Still I do quite enjoy the irony of the decision - given that Arkaroola was first established by the late and legendary Reg Sprigg - a legendary geologist who worked for SA Mines and was highly influential in establishing Santos, Beach Petroleum and Radium Hill mines, amongst other things.

[photohiker]

We recently passed through the northern Flinders on a Family trip and camped at Iga Warta. I had the opportunity to speak with a number of local indigenous (Adnyamathanha) people there. The information below is as a result of those communications.

While there is a mining ban proposed for Arkaroola it is not for all of Arkaroola, there is a significant part to be sectioned off for mining. (sounds like political double-speak again [sigh])

The local Indigenous people have not been consulted or involved in the proposal at all.

There is talk that there is possibly the second largest, or the largest Uranium deposit in the southern hemisphere there. On that basis the chances of not mining it are virtually nil, so the Adnyamathanha are going in support of mining so that they have a voice in how it is mined.