Mining firm faces prosecution over uranium spill in Australia

The Northern Territory in Australia is suing the controversial Rio Tinto over the uranium spill in Kakadu National Park. The prosecution arises from 110 pollution incidents and numerous breaches of environmental requirements at the Ranger Mine. Six people suffered minor symptoms of poisoning when uranium and acidity leaked into the workers’ drinking water due to defects in connecting pipes.

This incident brings back memories of the pollution of Boac River in Marinduque some years back.

ERA which is majority owned by Rio Tinto has been charged in the past with spills, leaks and breakdowns. The latest spill closed the mine following the discovery of some 150,000 liters of water contaminated with uranium levels estimated at 108 part per billion (five times the Australian drinking water standards of the Jabiru East water supply).

The latest incident is seen as a tragedy that characterizes the failure of many mining firms to be responsible enough on safety standards affecting the environment and human health. At the same time their practices put the ecosystems at risk, the water supply most especially for people’s personal use and in agriculture.

Some years back, a similar tragedy happened to the Placer Dome-Marcopper in Marinduque which destroyed Boac River. Its effect on human health was well documented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The IUCN council has decided to call the attention of the International Chamber for Mining and Minerals (ICMM) during its 60th Meeting of Council. Many setbacks, however, characterize the dialogue resulting in changes on the terms of reference. The council has incorporated in the dialogue the legacy issues to ensure prior informed consent of the people within the affected areas.

The council agreed that the lack of progress in the dialogue would constitute a basis for disengagement.

People affected by the vagaries of mining have a lesson to be learned. They say the country’s biodiversity and people in the vicinity must be protected. – Antonio M. Claparols