nuclear-news

Anti uranium protestors arriving at Olympic Damn

Protesters gather at Olympic Dam, Herald Sun, AAP July 13, 2012  ANTI-NUCLEAR activists are gathering at Olympic Dam in South Australia’s north to protest against the proposed $30 billion expansion of BHP Billiton’s copper, uranium and gold mine.

Organisers say the five days of action, beginning on Saturday, are planned to be peaceful, with   people expected from across Australia. “We anticipate a vibrant protest camp which combines educational workshops, entertainment and non-violent direct action,” Nectaria Calan said.

“We will converge on the site of the current mine and approved expansion as the South Australian and Australian governments have failed to put the environment and people’s health before short-term economic concerns.

“The impacts of this project will remain long after BHP Billiton packs up, repatriates its profits, and moves on to the next project.”

Police are taking no chances, setting up a major security operation, closing several roads and declaring the area a protected zone……
The protest over Olympic Dam follows court action by Aboriginal elder Kevin Buzzacott in his bid to block the mine’s expansion. Mr Buzzacott asked the Federal Court to block the project on the grounds that federal Environment Minister Tony Burke had not given enough consideration to a number of issues including the risks posed by the storage of radioactive tailings.

His case was dismissed but he has since appealed to the Full Court of the Federal Court which is yet to hand down its judgment. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/protesters-gather-at-olympic-dam/story-e6frf7kf-1226425607523

July 13, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general