Government gives green light to more environmental destruction

Media Release
20th December 2010

The Government’s decision to allow mining company Marathon Resources back into Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary shows a total disregard towards community opinion.

Back in 2008 Marathon Resources was suspended from operations in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary for dumping thousands of bags of low level radioactive waste and theft of a large quantity of Flourite- from a site classified as a “Geological Monument”.

Following an investigation and recent changes to the Mining Act the company has now been given permission to explore for Uranium- albeit with some restrictions on its operations.
One cannot help but feel that this decision a week before Christmas has been timed in such a way to go “under the radar.”

Through the Seeking a Balance document released over 12 months ago, the SA Government asked the public what we think about mining in the Northern Flinders Ranges. The result was a resounding NO- with 82% of submissions opposing all forms of mining in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Furthermore the breadth of submission was significant, with academic, business and scientific communities all represented.

The SA public has asked the government to show leadership and strength in protecting this important part of South Australia- instead the recent announcement lacks backbone and opens the door for environmental destruction on a grand scale.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary has been widely recognised as an iconic and unique location.
It is:

• on the Register of the National Estate
• a recognised geological monument,
• a Sanctuary under the National Parks and Wildlife Act
• an Environmental Class A zone under the Development Act
  

The Sprigg family have owned and run a successful eco-tourism operation at Arkaroola for many years. Any moves to allow mining in this area belittles and threatens their enterprise.

Some places too precious to mine Arkaroola is one of them.

For further information contact:
Matthew Turner 0403 117745