From: Amy Grossbard [amygrossbard@hotmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 31 July 2002 9:40 AM
To: ecita.sen@aph.gov.au

1 August 2002

Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Environmental Regulation of
                            Uranium Mining

To: Secretary, Senate ECITA References Committee
Parliament House, CANBERRA

I am writing in regard to the Senate Inquiry that is currently taking place 
into Environmental Regulations of Uranium Mining. While I applaud the 
initiative - an investigation into what is a seriously dangerous industry - 
I hope all of the important issues will be addressed. I would therefore 
request the Inquiry recommends:

In regards to the Beverley and Honeymoon In Situ Leach mines, there needs to 
be increased monitoring of operations and reporting of leaks. Also, the 
Federal and South Australian Governments need to commit to protecting the 
groundwater by disallowing the disposal of mine waste into groundwater. This 
would in turn ensure there are no underground leaks into acquifers. They 
should also make rehabilitation of those areas already impacted a 
requirement.

In regards to the Kakadu Mines, the Federal and Northern Territory
Governments need to facilitate the rehabilitation, lease relinquishment and 
incorporation of the Jabiluka and Koongarra mineral leases into Kakadu 
National park. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto and relevant government agencies need to 
support a phase out, exit and rehabilitation strategy for Ranger, including 
aiding the establishment of a viable Aboriginal economy independent of 
mining.

There also needs to be a credible action plan for the protection of the
World Heritage Property and its values. And finally, the Federal and
Northern Territory Governments need to act to reduce environmental impacts 
of operations at Ranger. This should include strengthened monitoring, 
reporting and regulatory regimes which need to have more event based 
monitoring, increasing monitoring scope and trigger points, and enhanced 
reporting.

Given the number of leaks, spills and failures to monitor and regulate the 
above mines, a change in current practices is the only way to ensure an 
improvement in this problematic industry. As such, I would like to see these 
recommendations included in the report when it comes out on December 5.

Yours Sincerely,
Amy Grossbard


3 Royston Court,
Kew 3101
VICTORIA

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