[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Roxby D-Day: Are we set to become China's quarry?

[Parnell]

Media Release
Friday 13th May 2011

Roxby D-Day: Are we set to become China's quarry?

The Olympic Dam Expansion Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) will be released shortly.

"We are about to find out if BHP Billiton intends to ignore the many valid concerns raised by community and scientific experts about the Olympic Dam open cut mega-project," said Greens leader Mark Parnell.

"Will the Rann Government show some spine and ensure that our resources will be processed here in South Australia in a sustainable way, or are we set to become the world's biggest quarry as radioactive ore and countless jobs are exported to China?

"On behalf of all South Australians, the Government must stand up to the company.  Once they give the approval, all their bargaining power will be lost," he said.

Key questions:

Jobs to China - Where will the ore be processed and why isn't it to be done here in South Australia?

Water - Will BHPB change the location of their desal plant or will they insist on Point Lowly despite huge opposition from marine scientists, the fishing industry and the local community?

Energy - Will BHPB continue to choose fossil fuels with massive carbon impact?

Waste & Tailings - The original EIS described woefully inadequate options for the management of the waste rock pile and tailings.  Will these gigantic waste dams be lined to protect our groundwater from radioactive leakage?

For more information contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893


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