Beverley uranium mine opened
BY JIM GREEN
The uranium mine at Beverley in northern South Australia was formally opened on February 21. It is Australia's first new uranium mine since Western Mining Corporation's Olympic Dam opened 12 years ago.
Operated by Heathgate Resources, a subsidiary of United States nuclear giant General Atomics, the mine began commercial production in December and the full production rate 1000 tonnes of yellowcake annually is expected to be achieved by mid-year. This compares to last year's figures of 4539 tonnes from the Olympic Dam mine in South Australia and 4114 tonnes from the Ranger mine in the Northern Territory.
Heathgate has spent the past four years pursuing Beverley's development following its abandonment by previous owners in the 1980s after the election of the Hawke Labor government.
The Beverley mine has a life expectancy of 15 years. It cost about $45 million to develop, and will generate 50-70 jobs when fully operational. Other projects completed to assist the mine venture include a 14km gas pipeline, an airstrip and a gas-fired power station to service the mine and the processing plant.
Although uranium prices are near record lows, the Beverley mine will be profitable according to Heathgate. Heathgate president Jim Graham said that production could be increased beyond 1000 tonnes annually if world markets showed signs of recovery. If uranium prices do increase, then we will approach the state and federal governments and re-do an environmental impact statement to possibly add to our current approved level, he said.
Heathgate will begin testing other sites in the region for uranium mining potential.
The Beverley mine uses a technique known as in-situ leaching (ISL), which involves pumping an acid solution into groundwater to extract uranium for surface processing. Wastes will be returned to the aquifer.
Beverley is the first in Australia allowed to use the controversial ISL process. The uranium industry increasingly favours ISL mining because it is cheaper to operate than conventional mines. However, the use of sulphuric acid as the dissolving agent is not allowed in the United States.
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says the method will pollute the aquifer and poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin. Friends of the Earth's (FoE) nuclear campaigner Loretta O'Brien said, The only way Heathgate can make a profit out of this mine is to trade off the cost to the environment. It is the Australian community who will wear the real cost of this mine, Beverley's radioactive legacy will remain long after Heathgate have left town.
Ila Marks from FoE said, The federal government is showing where its loyalties lie as it joins Heathgate's celebrations. Its loyalty lies not with the majority of Australians who oppose uranium mining, but with corporations who put profit before people and the environment.
Members of the ACF and FoE joined with the Adnyamathanha traditional owners in a protest at the mine site entrance on the morning of February 21. Heathgate flew journalists, politicians and others to the site for the opening ceremony. Police were on standby to avoid a repeat of last year's protests, at which police assaulted protesters, children and media reporters.