The Tasmanian Public and Environmental Health Network (TPEHN) are opposed to the proposed new Indicoal Mining Australia Pty Ltd export coal mine being planned for Hamilton.
In September 2011 the Tasmanian Public and Environmental Health Network called for a moratorium on all new mine exploration licences and new mine leases in Tasmania.
“This latest coal mining proposal at Hamilton adds to the proposed new shale gas and bauxite mines proposed for the Midlands and the Meander Valley. We have seen too much of the devastating impacts of these types of mines on communities and waterways on the mainland and we don’t want them here,” said Isla MacGregor.
“Tasmanians now need to have that community wide discussion as to just how much of our state they are prepared to see wasted by corporate miners at the expense of human and environmental health for future generations.”
“TPEHN invites other community organisations to support our mining policy and our call for a moratorium on all new mines in Tasmania”
TPEHN’s research on the impact of legacy mines and existing corporate miners – http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2013-03-31/4594752 – has exposed the Tasmanian Government for its inability to properly regulated while being a friend to the corporate miners.
The Tasmanian Government needs to:
* Return to Government regulation, with monitoring, and policing of polluting activities by mining companies. Self regulation by mining companies in Tasmania has failed.
* The EPA, Mineral Resources Tasmania, Contaminated Sites Unit and the DHHS must be adequately resourced, staffed and funded to regulate, monitor and enforce activities by mining companies.
* Applications for Mine exploration or mining leases on land that has Aboriginal heritage to be determined by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
* Review of all areas subject to exploration licenses and mining leases particularly prime agricultural land, other significant land areas and land where communities could be affected.
* Reject mine exploration licenses or mine leases to companies that breach human rights during their operations in other countries OR do not comply in those countries with environmental guidelines operating in Australia.
* Support a federal Resource Rent Tax on 50% on corporate mining company profits which will fund:
– Government regulation, monitoring and policing of corporate miners.
– Independent population based public and environmental health research at abandoned and existing mine sites where people’s health or aboriginal heritage is at risk or environments, fauna and flora threatened.
– A Review of Mining Bonds to effectively fund the Mining Lands Rehabilitation Trust Fund.
– Rehabilitation of abandoned mining lands and waterways.
“Without an overhaul of how mining is allowed to occur in Tasmania, the Tasmanian public can have no confidence in the capacity of government to honestly and effectively regulate, monitor and police corporate mining operations in Tasmania.”
Planning is underway for TPEHN’s inaugural public forum in May – Impacts from Mining: past, present and future.
“This new Coal proposal is a wake up call to the Tasmanian community to discuss just how much of this state do they want to allow to be destroyed for future generations” said Isla MacGregor.
Tasmanian Public and Environmental Health Network Mining Spokesperson Isla MacGregor
