Call to ban mining on Stradbroke Island

By Bill Mason

@box text intro = BRISBANE -- Conservation and Aboriginal groups on April 27 renewed a call for sand mining on Stradbroke Island to be suspended after reports revealed possible mine seepage into environmentally sensitive wetlands nearby.

Hydrology reports prepared for sand mining company Consolidated Rutile Limited warn seepage from dredge ponds could flood Ibis and Black Snake lagoons, both of which are listed under a United Nations convention to protect the world's wetlands.

Earlier in April, conservation groups blockaded the CRL mine to demand its closure over pollution fears.

The Quandamooka Aboriginal Land Council and several conservation organisations have demanded that mining be suspended until CRL gives“absolute guarantees” that its operation will not flood the lagoons.

Greens' spokesperson Drew Hutton said the reports showed the Mines Department was a captive of industry and was not a competent regulator.

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