Mining

Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam urged the Chamber of Minerals and Energy to wake up to the imminent effects of climate change, and stop jeopardising the economic viability of their industry, as well as our future, at a Public Hearing Joint Standing Committee on Treaties into the Kyoto Protocol this morning.

A Federal Court ruling that will halt one of the world's largest zinc mines is a big win for Traditional Owners and for the environment, said the Australian Greens today.

The Australian Greens today called on Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to press ahead with the ongoing strategic assessment process to find the best location for an industrial Hub in the Kimberley, saying that he should not approve any LNG developments in the region outside of the agreed process.

 The Australian Greens are appalled that the Nationals have buckled to
mining industry pressure to allow mining exploration under prime farming
land without a water sustainability study.

Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown, who today moved amendments to the Water
Amendment Bill, originally proposed in the lower house by New England

 The Federal Government should adopt a Senate amendment to the Water Act that protects fertile farming land from mining, according to the Greens.

       Senator Brown today successfully moved amendments to the Act originally proposed by the Independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor in the lower house.

Last month Senator Brown and Mr Windsor visited farmers at Caroona, near Tamworth, who are strongly opposed to plans by BHP to mine coal in the area. It's feared the mining may damage local hydrology and greatly affect the productivity of surrounding farms.

The Building Australia fund should be reserved for 21st century nation building, rather than massive hand outs to the mining and banking industry, said the Australian Greens today.

Delegates attending the fourth annual uranium roadshow in Fremantle tomorrow will be reminded that “WA does not dig uranium!’

Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today called Martin Ferguson's draft legislation for carbon storage a clear demonstration of the many problems still bedevilling the proposed technology.