SUM OF TARKINE MINES IS BIGGER THAN ITS PARTS

The Tasmanian Greens today urged Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to refrain from signing off on the Venture Minerals Limited Riley Creek iron ore mine in the Tarkine region until proper assessment had been undertaken into the cumulative impact of having a series of mines all operating in the same area.

Greens Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran MP said that currently only one mine has been submitted for assessment, which makes it impossible to determine the combined effect that the three proposed Venture mines will have on the local environment.

“Mr Burke has an opportunity here to prove he is a competent environment minister by not bowing to blinkered mining companies and applying a proper assessment process,” said Mr O’Halloran.

“It is known that the collective impacts of numerous mines, creates further issues that need to be taken into consideration. Currently Mr Burke is in no position to properly determine how serious these issues will be.”

“Currently only one of the Venture mines has been submitted for assessment, this makes it impossible to know what the cumulative effects of the three Venture mines will be on the region’s environment.”

“The Greens have been consistent and clear about our opposition to mining in the Tarkine, and we will continue to advocate for a smarter, cleaner future for Tasmania that leverages our natural assets for long-term gain for local communities, rather than trashing them for short-term profit,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul O’Halloran MP Member for Braddon Friday, 17 May 2013