The granting of exploration approval for the Angela Pamela uranium project near Alice Springs raises the stakes in what is set to be a major confrontation between the uranium mining industry and the wider community, say the Australian Greens.
"Uranium mining anywhere is a tragedy. Uranium mining in the Alice Springs groundwater catchment is a travesty," said Senator Scott Ludlam.
"I am surprised the Paladin/Cameco consortium is so willing to pick a fight with one of Australia's most tight-knit and self-reliant communities, who have already formed the Alice Springs Angela Pamela group (ASAP), made up of medical professionals, environmental specialists, indigenous peoples and community activists."
"Mining executives in cities thousands of kilometres away seem to think their uranium mine will be welcomed with open arms by the Alice community. As people get a more accurate idea of the unique ways in which uranium mining permanently contaminates the air, land and water, I imagine the community will be delivering an entirely different message.
I'll be doing everything I can to make sure the people of the red centre get the help and support they deserve," Senator Ludlam said.
"The Greens are the only political party standing up against the toxic and obsolete uranium trade. This is the solar century, and it's time we left nuclear weapons and uranium mining in the scrapheap of history where they belong," he concluded.
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senator.ludlam@aph.gov.au | www.scottludlam.org.au | www.greensmps.org.au