Wake up call – 75 heavy metal poisoned waterways in Tasmania

Pictures taken at the Climate Change rally yesterday. Says Isla MacGregor: A member of the Labor Party contingent attending the Climate Change rally constantly blocked this banner when it was being filmed by various TV and other media film crews. A woman sitting in front of the banner told TPEHN that this Labor party objector told her he did not agree with our banner – she remonstrated with him that you can not take MINING out of the Climate Change debate. Mining – the new M word … Photos by Frederique Olivier.

An investigation by the Tasmanian Public and Environmental Health Network (TPEHN) has found over 75 heavy metal poisoned waterways in Tasmania. These 75 mining contaminated waterways are a wake up call to Tasmanians during debate over many future mining proposals across the state.

TPEHN has been trawling through numerous mining company, government and environmental consultant reports and has found over 75 heavy metal contaminated waterways in Tasmania.

TPEHN Spokesperson Isla MacGregor said:

“The 75 heavy metal contaminated waterways that TPEHN has found in these reports is only the tip of the iceberg.

“The EPA will not publicly release results of environmental monitoring programs done or commissioned by mining companies even though these reports are required under mine license agreements.

“Since the Government’s State of the Rivers Report was released in 2004 there has been no new information released on the numerous impacts of legacy and current mining operations or major mine pollution spills into our waterways.

“These 75 heavy metal polluted waterways are a wake up call to Tasmanians to take stock of the impacts of legacy and current mining operations in the state before the Government gives the green light to any new mines.

“Mining operations not only have major impacts on climate change from air pollution but also on the health of our waterways, our communities who rely on these waterways for drinking and food production and our oceans” said Isla MacGregor.

• Mercury: Mystery firm behind mine proposal • TT earlier: Indicoal Mining Aust Pty Ltd, Langloh Coal Mine, Hamilton