Opposition to uranium in WA

Opposition to uranium in WA

By Jo Vallentine

PERTH — Anti-uranium activists are closely monitoring Perth-based Acclaim Uranium NL, a new player in the uranium market in Western Australia, which has a portfolio of 15 mines in the state. Acclaim, previously involved in gold mining (as MC Mining NL and Tindals Gold Mines NL), has three companies listed under its banner: Acclaim Uranium NL, Acclaim Investments Pty Ltd and Acclaim Exploration NL.

Bill Hassell was listed as the chair of Uranium NL when it was established on May 15. Until recently, he was the president of the WA branch of the Liberal Party.

Hassell was a police minister during the Charles Court government's disgraceful show of strength against Aboriginal rights during the Noonkanbah dispute of 1978. A police-escorted convoy of drilling rigs travelled 1700 kilometres from Perth to the Kimberley region to drill for oil against the wishes of the Aboriginal community.

At the time, the notorious Section 54B of the WA Police Act was invoked to bar gatherings of more than three people in a public space without police permission. Hassell is renowned for his anti-Aboriginal stance, so the chances of respectful negotiations between Acclaim Uranium NL and traditional custodians would appear slim.

Some of the 15 prospects controlled by Acclaim Uranium are located at East Kintyre (Rudall River National Park), Gascoyne, Mundong, Yinnetharra and Oobagooma.

A new campaign group opposed to the Jabiluka uranium mine has also been formed in WA. The Jabiluka Action Group of WA is an independent, non-violent, community-based group of concerned citizens campaigning in solidarity with the Mirrar people. On November 12, JAGWA activists held a protest at the offices of North Ltd, a major shareholder in Energy Resources Australia.

From GLW issue 301