Greens Lead Senate candidate, Penny Wright, is keen to clarify that the Greens are not opposed to mining at Olympic Dam and are not calling for the Olympic Dam mine to be closed.
“Around 80 percent of the Olympic Dam mine’s revenue comes from copper, gold and silver mining. If the Olympic Dam mine were expanded it would become one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines,” Ms Wright said.
Ms Wright said, “The Greens’ position is crystal-clear. The Greens are not opposed to mining at Olympic Dam. The mine has an enormous future as a copper and gold mine with 75-80% of its revenue traditionally coming from copper, gold and silver mining. These are significant South Australian resources which can benefit the State both now and in the future.”
“The Greens do not support the mining and export of uranium because it is unsustainable and unsafe but that accounts for just 25% or less of the revenue from mining being done at Olympic Dam.”
“The Greens do not oppose the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine as long as it can be done sustainably. The current expansion proposal is seriously flawed when it comes to energy, greenhouse pollution, water use and waste management. However, these problems are all fixable, in which case Olympic Dam could play an important part in the State’s future as one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines.”
Media contact: Denny Rosey –0422 672 181