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Uranium mining harmful to Tanzania, benefits only foreign investors

companies mining uranium had never solved problems associated with extraction of the minerals and also they had never employed good way of settling remains of the minerals after the mining activity is complete.

that mining activities benefited more investors than Tanzanians.

“Take an example of Niger, they are now suffering from the impacts of uranium extraction, including high levels of environmental degradation,”

PP Media 28 Dec 11, “………The Legal and Human Rights Centre Legal Officer in-charge of Corporate and Environment Flaviana Charles says the metal posses dangers not only to human beings but to animals and environment.
Already companies including Mantra (T) and Uranex (T) limited are exploring the minerals in various parts including Namtumbo (Mkuju River Project) Bahi and Manyoni, a move which has been criticised by majority of the members of public including legislators.

“We have decided to take the initiative to raise awareness to the public on this new mineral expected to start being mined in the country,” says Charles.

She says extraction of uranium requires a wide land.
“It requires cutting so many trees, construction of roads,
infrastructures and human activities which will contribute in cutting
down natural forests home to the number and variety of plant and
animal species,” she says
The director says failure to control cutting down of forests leads to
loss of plants that depend forests for their existence , animals and
insects to a great extent.
“This is very dangerous because it can lead to annihilation of some
animals, plants and insects in the history of this world,” she
observes
The extraction involves the use of chemicals like mercury and
sulphuric acids in various processes many of which flow into sources
of water located closer to mines and pollute water.
“This polluted water kills animals, insects and natural vegetation in
a particular environmental area,” she says.
Research and experience of countries mining uranium confirms that
extraction of uranium is dangerous to the environment and other
biodiversity including destruction of land due to having big holes and
remains of mines, water pollution, radiation and poisonous gas, and
excess use of energy and water that in turn affect other uses to the
ordinary people.
She says the mining has great affects to farmers and pastoralists
whose land are taken for one investor and be left struggling with land
disputes.
“But the mining also has direct impact to the community and workers in
the uranium mining through various way including inhaling polluted
air,” says Charles.
The history has it that companies mining uranium had never solved
problems associated with extraction of the minerals and also they had
never employed good way of settling remains of the minerals after the
mining activity is complete.
Some of the companies run away from implementing their social
cooperate responsibility to the communities .
All this entail that until now there is no proper way of destroying
completely remains of uranium and therefore it is difficult to control
effects of the mineral that will end thousands of years.
It has been reported that Uranium mines in Namibia use a lot of water
than the actual demand of water by Namibians.
The director says the extraction of the mineral has unnecessary costs
which impact countries’ economy citing expenses of cleaning up the
environment and avoidance of effects that are caused by remains of big
uranium mines……

Uranium Mining industry itself is a complete disaster. Large mining
companies are allowed to take public lands and dispoil them, making
huge profits, leaving behind huge mining pits, water and soil
contaminated with heavy metals and radioative radon.
So many calls have been raised advising the government to stop
extraction of uranium since it has not been prepared for that. Harold
Sungusia LHRC director of advocacy and reforms advises the government
to stop uranium extraction in Bahi district, Dodoma and Manyoni in
Singida and called for a serious environmental assessment before
implementing the uranium extraction project in Namtumbo district,
Ruvuma region.
According to him, the mines in Bahi and Manyoni districts are
surrounded by villagers and the government is not prepared to relocate
them.
He says they had conducted research in Nzega, Geita, North Mara Gold
Mine, Namtumbo, Manyoni and Bahi districts and realised that mining
activities benefited more investors than Tanzanians.
Sungusia says the government was duty-bound to educate villagers on
the impacts and benefits of uranium and take precautions against
health hazardous to be caused by uranium wastes.
“Take an example of Niger, they are now suffering from the impacts of
uranium extraction, including high levels of environmental
degradation,” says
Sungusia…..http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=36885

December 29, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, environment, Uranium