Rum Jungle site inspection : Melbourne Indymedia

Local environmentalists today conducted a public site inspection of the Browns mining project at Batchelor.

Mr John Oakley, a spokesperson for the inspection team, says that a lack of public information regarding the activities of Compass Resources around the old Rum Jungle Uranium lease had forced their hand.

“While we understand the EPA has given approval for Compass to develop their Browns Oxide project, the company has yet to fulfil the requirements of that authorisation,” said Mr Oakley.

“The EPA recognised the likelihood of radioactive contamination from any activities near the abandoned Rum Jungle Uranium mine, and so required Compass to consult the public on a Radiation Management Plan.

"But Compass have yet to comply with this requirement, and Batchelor locals are concerned at the level of activity on site.

"The Mining Department tell us Compass have interim authorisation, but they won’t reveal just what the miner is authorised to do.

“We know that Compass are already drafting an application to expand the project, and have plans to mine uranium nearby.

Compass has kicked off preliminary engineering work at its 14.5 million pound Mount Fitch uranium project, with the company anticipating a sharing of infrastructure between the two developments.

“Given the stakes are so high, we decided it was appropriate to come out on site and assess the situation for ourselves.”

the browns oxide project is a foot in the door for compass, who have big plans to expand into the sulphide deposit below, and a uranium mine nearby.

a protestor (anyone recognise him?) and the construction manager discuss their shared love of Harley Davidson motorcycles.

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/hidden.php?id=120218#120319

I found a new sign that the people in the top picture can carry round with them to protests so that everybody is aware of their situation:

So you "inspected the site" but what did you find? Really informative article - not!

So if you inspected the site, then what was the "protestor" doing there. And what was he protesting? And were you invited?

Further who gave you the authority to be inspectors? isn't that the authorities job? Do you think it's appropriate to Inspect a construction site whilst not wearing any shoes?

juk - thanks for the image : love it.
It's always funny to hear "sorry mate, you'd be most welcome, but we don't have a spare hardhat."
I note that one member of our 'inspection team' brought his own orange vest.

juk and af : good point re, the results of our inspection.
please stay tuned : we're still writing up our report ;{)}

I can tell you now that we observed
*clearing for the new road, plant pad and tailings dump
*salvaging of cycads (a protected species in the NT)
*the presence of (some, minimal) mining infrastructure (contrary to the good word of the mining minister)

The clearing had not quite gone to the expected boundaries (possibly in part to avoid local scrutiny)

But of greater interest, was the results of our calm conversations with the construction manager, who confirmed that the operations to date have not been bound by the recommendations of the EPA.

He had a few other interesting things to say, but further details will need to be confirmed with the relvant NT Government departments, and Compass themselves.

thanks again for your interest.

No need to thank me, i'm a very very happy shareholder, as you no doubt are too.

Keep up the updates, it's always great to see and hear how things are progressing so well. And now with the upgrade in proposed throughput, there's just wonderful news all around.