ASAP event history

Event History

Here is a summary of actions ASAP has organised or supported and other important events during the campaign. Many actions were joint efforts between ASAP and other groups- thankyou Alice!

Exploration drilling begins- Rally

On May 6th, 2009, exploratory drilling began at Angela Pamela. A crowd of 100 people gathered at the Cameco office that afternoon to show their dissent

First ever Critical MASSive

Nearly 100 bike riders showed their support for cycling and opposition to nuclear energy at the first Critical Massive in April. Critical Massive #2 was held in May.

Information session: Uranium Mining and Health

Spurred on by the data mining session and misinformation being propagated, ASAP FFANFF and ALEC hold a community information session on the effects of radiation on health on April 21st, 2009. Clive Rosewarne of the Public Health Association Australia gave an excellent talk to a packed room. You can download the powerpoint here.

Boycott of Cameco Data Mining Session

April 21st, 2009: ASAP, FFANFF and ALEC boycott Cameco data mining ( ‘public consultation”) sessions and host information session on health and radiation. Basic reasoning for boycott: ultimately, Cameco's public consultation sessions are run to benefit Cameco. Consultation is part of their legal requirements and information gained by them from the public will be used to further the PR war.

Public meeting with Kon Vatskalis 09

After several requests arising from public meetings, Kon Vatskalis, Minister for Primary Industry, Fisheries and resources, agreed to meet with the residents of Alice Springs on the subject of uranium mining. Meeting organised by ASAP and FFANFF.Friday March 27th, 2009. Room was packed out. Check out the meeting on Youtube.

Public meeting on granting of licence

On October 7th, 2008:Several hundred attend public meeting. Again, Alice Springs residents call for personal visit from Mines Minister on the issue.

Rally opposing granting of licence

October 4th, 2008: Several hundred attend rally opposing licence

October 2nd 2008: License to explore granted to Cameco/ Paladin

Public submissions to exploration licence

The public objection/ comment period ended on may 25th. Over 200 submissions were made to the Northern Territory Government opposing an exploration licence being granted to Cameco and Paladin for the Angela Pamela deposits. Cameco has responded, stating
“ We believe none of the comments are grounds for objection for the granting of the Exploration Licence.”
A petition with 948 signatories has been tabled to the Northern Territory Government calling for:
· Not grant an exploration licence to Cameco /Paladin for the Angela and Pamela uranium deposits
· Return the areas to ‘reservation from occupation’ status.

Public meeting 08

About 200 people attended a public meeting at Anzac Hill High School on May 7th, 2008. For more, or to read keynote speaker Gavin Mudd's presentation, see the ASAP report. The meeting demanded the Mines Minister confront Alice Springs residents in person.

Application for exploration license advertised

Under the Mining Act and Native Title Act, there was a period of public comment/ registering objections to the proposed exploration licence. The period of comment began March 26th 2008.Two months given by the Mining Act, 4 months under the Native Title Act.

Cameco/Paladin announced preferred applicant

In February 2008, the Cameco Paladin Joint Venture was announced as the prefered applicant out of 37 companies. This meant they were allowed to apply for a licence to explore for uranium.

Dec 2006: Reservation from occupation status revoked

The land which contains the Angela and Pamela deposits was under "reservation from occupation" status for years. When it was revoked, there was a record numbers of interest in apply for an exploration licence- 37 companies!