What happens when a company dumps 22,800 bags of mining waste in a Wilderness Sanctuary? Hefty fines? Criminal proceedings? A ban on further operations?
How about none of the above.
That's the scenario with mining company Marathon Resources and the mess it created drilling into Mt Gee in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. After several months of ballyhoo, the SA government has asked for the waste to be cleaned up and . . . well, actually, that's all they've asked. To catch up with the saga see Bill Doyle's blog and Greens MP, Mike Parnell's site.
That's the scenario with mining company Marathon Resources and the mess it created drilling into Mt Gee in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. After several months of ballyhoo, the SA government has asked for the waste to be cleaned up and . . . well, actually, that's all they've asked. To catch up with the saga see Bill Doyle's blog and Greens MP, Mike Parnell's site.
The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary - including Mawson Plateau - is some of Australia's greatest arid high country. The place is a geological wonderland and a biodiversity stronghold. Even allowing commercial mineral exploration in the heart of these ranges is bizarre enough. But to contemplate full-scale mining here would be a crime against nature - and commonsense. Even Liberal Party hardnut Nick Minchin agrees with that - see story and this one.
(The top pic above shows Arkaroola, looking southwest across Mt Painter; the shot above looks due west towards Freeling Heights.)
1 comment:
Quentin - well said! Unfortunately, Marathon are trying to rebasge themselves as "environmentally friendly" and in pursuit of a "social licence" (ie a licence with social responsibility) to mine. This probably reflects the influence of new Director Shad Linley, former CEO of Korean-owned Sun Metals. Marathon commented on his recent appointment to their Board that Sun Metals, in Townsville was "the world's most efficient and environmentally sensitive zinc refinery, successfully built and operated on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef"!
I have a long series of articles on Marathon/Arkaroola on my blog (access through the "Arkaroola" label: http://mike-servethepeople.blogspot.com )
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