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Australian scientists warns of the social, environmental, costs of mining

Call to levy mining firms for green fund KIM MACDONALD, The West Australian January 26, 2010,

Former scientist of the year Jorg Imberger has called for a five per cent levy on mining companies to pay for social and environmental programs, amid revelations only a fifth of export sales money stays in WA.

Research by Professor Imberger and PhD student Mark Andrich shows 62 per cent of the money from resources sales goes abroad during periods of high commodity prices, mostly to shareholders.

About 17 per cent goes into the national economy and about 20 per cent stays in the State, through royalties, jobs and shares.

The pair claim the relatively small economic return comes at a significant community cost, with the mining boom adding to environmental and social problems such as further wealth inequity, reduced housing affordability, congestion and increasing crime rates…………….

“After the assets are removed, we are left with practically nothing,” he said. “You could say less than nothing because we are left with a huge clean-up bill.”

Call to levy mining firms for green fund – The West Australian

January 26, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment | antinuclear, AUSTRALIA, nuclear costs, uranium