[Greens-Media] Record profit requires BHP Billiton to end environmental damage

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
23 August 2006

Record profit requires BHP Billiton to end environmental damage

BHP Billiton’s record $13 billion in profit for the last financial year highlights that its time that this mining company stopped its damaging environmental practices, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.

“BHP Billiton has boosted its profits by 58 per cent so now the directors of this company should face up to their environmental responsibilities,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The company can clearly afford to scrap mining operations under all waterways and floodplains. With 97 per cent of NSW in drought BHP Billiton needs to live up to its stated commitment to the environment and ethics.

“Chip Goodyear, BHP Billiton’s Chief Executive Officer, boasted about his company’s ethical concerns at a 2004 conference in Melbourne. Now he has no excuses but to put the conservation of our waterways before damaging mining operations.

“Mr Goodyear could start with scrapping plans to undertake longwall coal mining right next to the banks of the Nepean River. Similar operations near by have resulted in collapsed cliff faces, cracked riverbeds leading to pollution, huge water losses and the death of vast amounts of flora and fauna. 

“BHP Billiton’s plans to explore for coal under the Liverpool Plains should be dropped. It is highly irresponsible to allow the destruction of rich agricultural land. 

“This is not a struggling coal company. If BHP Billiton can make profits like this, it can afford to leave a few coal seams untouched.

“BHP Billiton has a responsibility to more than just its shareholders * it should consider the environment and the local communities affected.

“The Greens urge the company to change its plans in light of its record profits,” Ms Rhiannon said.



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