Abandoned Kakadu mines are still radioactive

Abandoned Kakadu mines are still radioactive

A memo from the Office of the Supervising Scientist, leaked to environmentalists
on June 6, has confirmed that abandoned South Alligator uranium mines are
posing a radiation hazard to the public in Kakadu National Park.

The South Alligator uranium mines operated from 1959 until 1962 providing
uranium for the British nuclear weapons program but were abandoned in 1962.
Radioactive tailings were poured onto a flat area below the uranium mill
and left exposed. In 1986 the tailings were mined for gold as part of a
“clean up program”, however an early wet season in 1986 again saw the operation
abandoned and the bulk of the tailings buried in hastily dug shallow pits.

The Northern Territory Environment Centre's Mark Wakeham said “We now
have confirmation that the situation is deteriorating at South Alligator
and that the area poses a significant radiological hazard.”

According to the centre, people visiting the UDP Falls in Kakadu are
driving past areas where they are exposed to airborne radiation. This type
of radiation is spread via dust particles. Inhalation of even minute quantities
of dust can be extremely dangerous.

“For traditional owners who live in the region the acid drainage and
airborne radiation problems pose unacceptable risks to health”, Wakeham
said. “Radiation levels are greater than at the former Nabarlek mine, which
is considered unsuitable for full-time occupancy. Once again Aboriginal
people in the Kakadu region are bearing the impacts of uranium mining.”

Wakeham wants thorough environmental impact assessments and rehabilitation
efforts and has said that, as the major uranium mining company in the Top
End, Energy Resources Australia should be required to contribute to costs.

“Radioactive hazards at South Alligator once again demonstrate that
mining is incompatible with Kakadu's values”, Wakeham said.

From GLW issue 409