See http://www.euractiv.com/energy/campaigners-mount-bid-outlaw-nuclear-subsidies-news-510325.

See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page504?oid=143022&sn=Detail&pid=92730.

See http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Rio-Tinto-completes-Hathor-takeover-QF2E6?opendocument&src=rss.

See http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/09/namibian-uranium-saga-heats-up/.

At the start of December, Rio emerged the winner after beating out world number one uranium miner, Canada’s Cameco, with a $643 million bid for the explorer.

See http://www.mining.com/2011/12/04/rio-wants-canadas-uranium-legal-controls-lifted/.

See also: Canadian uranium scene sizzles as Rio Tinto enters Athabasca Basin, http://www.prospectingjournal.com/canadian-uranium-scene-sizzles-as-rio-tinto-enters-athabasca-basin20113011/

and Canada says no decision yet on revising uranium policy, http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCATRE7B123820111202.

Kallis outlined his vision for a $1.5 billion clean energy precinct in the outback of South Australia that would take advantage of the unique combination of geothermal, solar and wind energy resources, the intersection of major gas pipelines, and the proximity of the world’s largest mine and other major developments.

The big opportunity is, of course, to service the massive energy demands of BHP Billiton’s proposed Olympic Dam expansion – which could be more than 700MW at that site alone – as well as other mine proposals or expansions.

See http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/cheap-and-green-energy-miners.

(The Olympic Dam mine is, of course, anything but clean – see http://www.foe.org.au/anti-nuclear/issues/oz/u/roxby/BHP%20Alt%20AR%202011%20-%20Dirty%20Energy.pdf.)

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11348

This will mark a re-entry by the UK mining giant into uranium exploitation in Canada – the world’s second largest source of the nuclear fuel (after Kazahstan). In 2000, Rio Tinto sold its majority-owned Rio Algom subsidiary to Billiton (which later merged with BHP to become BHP-Billiton). In doing so, it bequeathed a massive legacy of problems associated with past uranium mining. These problems relate particularly to  the absence of adequate tailings containment at its mines in the Elliot Lake region of Ontario, as well as on Hopi and Navajo territory in the US. In addition, there remain long-standing claims that the company caused radiation-induced disease among its Elliot Lake workforce. In fact it was only last month (in November 2011) that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) presented a report, allegedly withheld for 5 years, on (mis)-management of Rio Algom’s Elliot Lake uranium tailings facilities. But now, Rio Algom’s former parent company is about to  return to the country whose rivers and lands it so grossly polluted and debased for almost half a century.

[Comment by Nostromo Research, London 2 December 2011]

See Rio Tinto snatches up majority of Hathor shares at http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72103?oid=140843&sn=Detail&pid=102055

Uranium producers in Australia include BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page504?oid=139608&sn=Detail&pid=92730.

See http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/15/nuclear-renewables-schellnhuber.

To read the alternative report, see http://bhpbillitonwatch.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/bhpb_report_sml.pdf.

The central Asian state of Kazakhstan was among the first to ban all nuclear weapons testing on its territory. Last month the government established the world’s first international nuclear fuel bank, with the assistance of the US government. Kazakhstan is also taking steps to “clean up” the former Soviet Union nuclear weapons’ test site and make it safe “for animal husbandry and mining”. So far, so good? Perhaps not quite…

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11300.

Cleaning up Japan’s nuclear mess

Its owner fears not just radiation leaking out of the Fukushima plant, but also bad news.

See http://www.economist.com/node/21536625

Our Deadly Nuclear Legacy

Panel discussion with Greg Pallast, Harvey Wasserman, Vandana Shiva, Aileen Mioko Smith, Karl Grossman

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=camjKGUQ75U&feature=youtu.be

How Much Does It Cost To Insure a Nuclear Power Plant?

Asked to calculate the damage resulting from a major “total meltdown” accident at a nuclear reactor, researchers estimated it could cost upwards of 6 trillion euros (or 9 trillion dollars), which is why no insurance industry will touch the nuclear industry, and why the public is left holding the bag.

See http://www.care2.com/causes/how-much-does-it-cost-to-insure-a-nuclear-power-plant.html#ixzz1cB6JgtZa

Ranger mine owner seeks $A500 million for next stage development
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd, operator of the world class Ranger uranium project in Australia’s Northern Territory, has put out the bowl to shareholders seeking to raise A$500 million (US$505.9 million). The company, controlled by Rio Tinto, has announced a fully underwritten 12 for seven renounceable entitlement at an issue price of A$1.53 (US$1.548) per share. Rio Tinto said it is committed to taking up its 68.4% entitlement and indicated it would participate in sub-underwriting the retail entitlement offer. See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72103?oid=137387&sn=Detail&pid=92730.

Go-ahead for UK nuclear programme
The Fukushima disaster provides no reason to restrict UK nuclear reactors or stop building new ones, the official nuclear regulator has concluded. Dr Mike Weightman, the UK’s chief nuclear inspector, found no fundamental weaknesses in the current licensing regime or safety principles. The government commissioned the report after events in March damaged Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15256981.

Protest against nuclear plant in England
A quiet country road in Somerset was the setting for a 250 strong blockade as activists gathered to oppose the construction of Hinkley C – the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK for over twenty years, part of government plans for up to ten in total. The project is backed by French energy corporation EDF.
See http://stophinkley.org/StopPress.htm.

10,000 protesters lay siege to Indian nuclear plant site
The agitation against Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu state reached a feverish pitch recently with more than 10,000 activists laying siege to all the entry points to the project site. See http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_10000-protesters-lay-siege-to-tamil-nadu-nuclear-plant-site_1598354.

See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=137155&sn=Detail&pid=92730 and
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/10/bhpbilliton-idUSL3E7LA0FA20111010.

Australian Nuclear Free Alliance calls for a moratorium on uranium mining

MEDIA RELEASE,  11th October 2011

In the wake of the approval of the Olympic Dam expansion, the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) is calling for a moratorium on uranium mining due to the long term impacts associated with the nuclear industry.

Uncle Kevin Buzzacott, Arabunna elder from Lake Eyre and President of ANFA, addressed a rally at Parliament House in Adelaide yesterday held in response to the approvals announced by the State and Federal government:

“Today is a very sad day, but it’s not over yet. We are not going to rest until the government reverses its decision. We want BHP Billiton out of the desert. If we have to bring this town to a standstill, then so be it.”

South Australian Minister for Mineral Resources Development Tom Koutsantonis said yesterday that the mine will be subject to the most “stringent environmental conditions.”

“If 8 million litres of radioactive waste per day leaking into the underground rock and aquifer, and almost 9 billion tonnes of radioactive waste left in the desert at the mines closure, is acceptable under these conditions, then the South Australian government is setting the bar extremely low,” said ANFA Committee member Nectaria Calan.

“The radioactive waste will remain on Kokatha and Arabunna Country long after the former ‘Big Australian,’ now 76 per cent foreign owned, packs up its business and moves on.”

The expansion means an increase in shipments of uranium oxide and copper concentrate railed through the Northern Territory and shipped out from East Arm wharf on Larrakia land.

Donna Jackson, ANFA co-chair and Larrakia woman said, “the transport and export of these goods puts additional pressures on our emergency services, if we increase the volume, we increase the chance of an accident happening.”

“We stand by the Kokatha and Arabunna who oppose this expansion and we repeat our opposition and distress to the approved increase of two trains a day transporting radioactive materials through the NT and out from our Darwin Harbour.”

For comment contact:
SA: Kevin Buzzacott   0431 157 747, Nectaria Calan     0432 388 665
NT: Donna Jackson     0427 847 186

THE LIZARD’S REVENGE

Invitation/Press Release

DLF  – Desert Liberation Front

Response to the government’s decision to expand Olympic Dam mine.

Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard, Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.

BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.

Kalta is angry and wants revenge. Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come.

The land is being irreversibly poisoned in and around Roxby Downs by the tailings dam causing dust and ground water contamination, and contamination of its workers.

The uranium is taken all over the world and used to kill the land and all its creatures. It’s destroying lives not only in Fukashima, with the reactor meltdown, but in the depleted uranium shells that children play with in the streets of Iraq and Kosovo.

With the governments numerous attempts to put a nuclear waste dump at Muckaty in the Northern Territory there is a danger that radioactive waste will be brought back, opening Australia up to accepting nuclear waste from all over the world. Lets stop the deadly cycle where it starts.

The land the lizard and the creatures of this earth are summoning everybody who gives a shit to the gates of Roxby Downs on the 14th of july 2012 for The Lizards Revenge – This is an open invitation to all people and a special call out to artists, musicians and activist community groups and media to get involved in the creation of this autonomous zone for the peace and healing of this land.

Party in a Dangerous Planet with Theatre, Cabaret and Art installations. Over 20 musical acts. Solar Powered sound system extravaganza and wind powered cinema. More to be announced…

Stand up and boogie down at the Gates of Olympic Dam 14th July 2012.

For more info email- izzybrown@live.com

Indefinite Fast Against Nuclear Plant in Koodankulam
http://www.justicia.in/indefinite-fast-against-koodankulam-nuclear-plant-5th-day-update/

Anti- Nuclear Fasters’ Health Critical
http://www.countercurrents.org/pmane180911.htm

“Halt Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant Project” – Letter to Prime Minister from Tamilnadu C.M. Jayalalitha
http://www.nonuclear.in/2011/09/letter-to-prime-minister-from-tamilnadu-c-m-jayalalitha/

Koondankulam: Jaya assurance helps end fast
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/koodankulam-nuclear-project-protestors-call-off-fast/849689/

Nuke row: Protesters call off fast
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/chennai/Nuke-row-Protesters-call-off-fast/Article1-748407.aspx