NUCLEAR WASTE OPTIONS NEVER ALLOWED IN DISCUSSION OF AUSTRALIA’S WASTE DISPOSAL
Keeping Communities Safe is to remove a likely Nuclear Waste Dump ( a Reverse Uranium Mine) from their vicinity and all that goes with it – this is a REVERSE URANIUM MINE. Requiring the same approvals and questions as a new mine project.
Unfortunately Australia is becoming un Australian, and this is a typical example as I see it.
And I do not see an Australian Mining companies putting up their hand to help with a dilemma caused by them – Yes, them. If they wish to export, they need a solution to the waste and their product. Every other company has this duty of care. Reverse our thinking -
Use the uranium mine craters and or holes we already have – a Uranium Mine.
Why build expensive monuments and dig more holes damaging more environment for nuclear waste?- look for a sustainable solution – the mine has the answer? This would save millions of dollars of taxpayer money and no precious Australian environment or farm would be harmed in the process. If this is a matter of jobs, and this may not be the golden egg one thinks – have a Music Festival or other. Will tourists really visit our Nuclear Waste sites – they should be visiting Sacred Sites instead. Will we have to say sorry to our indigenous Australians, in 50 years time, for destroying more land and excluding them in this process.?
i have been advocating for some time that the best and simplest thing to do as a cradle to grave sensible, responsible solution to 40 years of built up Nuclear Waste in Australia is to bury it in a or the original mine or origin in the Northern Territory, South Australia or other. Do not approve any future uranium mines without a disposal system in place as part of progressive rehabilitation of the mine. BASIC SCIENCE. Why build monuments to nuclear waste. Australia has had 40 years to design this waste bin and all that goes with it. Shame. Now put into the public arena by ambush, bait and exclusion. Yes, this stuff has hazards, but needs to be placed where it is already mildly radioactive, to break down. Put it back where it came from. I do not see any mining companies in South Australia or other putting their hands up to help solve a problem created by them and government bodies. Why export uranium, when we clearly have no idea of how to dispose of the customer refuse from use by date uranium based products. I am going overseas with my solution – no one listens in Australia. As background, I am an italian born illustrator, my work covers most subjects and has included mining and uranium. And – have you all noticed, how no options for nuclear waste disposal have been allowed to enter this debate, whilst overseas, options and discussion are taking place. The USA has the same dilemma, one that did not exist 40 years ago, as the world was busily trying to have uranium mines approved for a hungry world. Well, that day is here – and Australia was not prepared for it. The late Prime Minister of Australia said, to quote: Australia will have a cradle to grave approach to uranium. Here it is.
My simple solution could be operating this week, not in two years time. Just like gardening, fill the uranium open cut mine with nuclear waste, top up with fill, building waste or other and replant with native vegetation. This will in time also curb soil erosion, as we see now. At the end of mine’s lifespan, which would only be 30 years or so, depending on the size of the Tailings Dam, the project would be over, unless extended. And this starts again, at another approved mine. The Ranger Mine in the NT, it is anticipated, will cost up to $800m to rehabilitate. DO THE MATHS. Divide this amount by the population of Australia, say 25million. Give us all our share of the money, and none of us need ever work again. My solution will save all this money. This same model could be used to rehabilitate coal mines, with plastic waste, broken down, to break down, and as a derivative of coal. Just basic, school science!
Here is my input – if the Government is looking for some – and it does not cost one cent. As background I illustrated a 10 week addendum to the proposed Jabiluka Project 1979 , Environmental Impact Statement. I want to praise the joint parties for answering pictorially all the questions likely of the project. My work was used overseas for similar projects. I have also been employed by Conservation, and Department of Mines and Energy over an 8 year period and other. My work is usually published and covers most topics. Sometimes working at this level, allows a solution to be found for a problem. I have been illustrating since 1971.
Unfortunately Australia (government) was looking for a site for Nuclear Waste – NOT A SOLUTION. Best of luck.