Alice Springs Angela Pamela (ASAP) collective
A Cameco-Paladin joint venture has recently applied for a license to explore uranium at the Angela and Pamela deposits, 25kms south of Alice Springs. This application comes amidst a sharp increase in uranium exploration throughout Central Australia, a trend strongly encouraged by the NT Government and Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, who last month asserted new uranium mines are likely to open in the Northern Territory.
The Alice Springs Angela Pamela (ASAP) Collective has formed in opposition to the exploration application and is currently organising a public meeting and other events to raise awareness about and directly challenge the progress of the proposal.
The Angela and Pamela deposits are located within the boundaries of the Alice Springs water catchment area and water control district. Uranium mining operations consume large volumes of water and there is a risk of contaminating surface and ground water sources.
Exploration and mining pose a significant risk to public health and local ecosystems. Workers, nearby communities and the environment will all be exposed to radioactive materials.
The areas around and including the Angela and Pamela sites have been identified in the Draft NT Parks master plan as holding national biodiversity and conservation significance. These areas should be reserved for low impact development such as tourism and not opened up for high impact projects like uranium mining.
Mining uranium is the first step in a nuclear chain which includes: unsafe, expensive, water intensive energy production; risk-prone transport of radioactive materials; inadequate safeguards against sale of uranium for nuclear weapons and production of radioactive waste which will remain dangerous for tens of thousands of years.
Nuclear power is promoted by industry and government and part of the “solution” to dangerous climate change. However, mining, transport, construction and decommissioning of power plants are all extremely carbon intensive. We support immediate transition from the heavily subsidised nuclear and fossil fuel industries to proven forms of renewable energy such as wind and solar, with greatly increased investment in research and development of all renewable technologies.
ASAP believes a broad coalition of informed community members is crucial for successfully opposing Angela Pamela and other uranium proposals. We are seeking to facilitate diverse input into developing a strong community campaign and encourage everyone to come to meetings and contribute ideas.
The ASAP Collective meets every Thursday at 6pm at the Arid Lands Environment Centre
Contact ASAP c/o Arid Lands Environment Centre, 08 8952 2497,
or email asapcollective@yahoogroups.com.au