Should we be worried about this open cut nickel mine and processing plant planned for the Tamar Valley?
According to the Proto resources website http://www.protoresources.com.au/Projects-and-Operations-Barnes-Hill-Nickel-Tas the project is located 10 km northwest of Launceston, with the actual mine site at Barnes Hill behind Beaconsfield.
While we have been focused on the pulp mill, something with the potential of being more hazardous to health has crept in under the radar. Apparently Bryan Green has granted the lease, West Tamar council are delighted and it is to go ahead.
Conservation council have called the project a “nightmare” http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2010/01/09/2788724.htm?site=news because of risks to the survival of a rare plant, but no mention of human or animal health. No word from the Greens. No real protests from anyone.
According to the proponents, the local landowners and community are happy. http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2010/02/11/2817239.htm?site=news
Managing director, Andrew Mortimer, said the nickel plant “could recycle 100 per cent of its water and most of its sulphuric acid reagent”.
He said it “wouldn’t require a large toxic tailings dam for iron-rich waste”. http://www.protoresources.com.au/sites/default/files/$30m%20Nickel%20Mine%20Lift.pdf
I recall a huge local outcry in the mid-70s when a processing plant was built at Yabulu near Townsville, to process nickel railed from Greenvale mine near Charters Towers. As well as concerns re community health and release of ammonia and sulfur into the atmosphere, there was some concern for potential nickel poisoning on the Barrier Reef.
A Saunders Beach resident told me recently, “I remember fish dying when the tailings dams overflowed after heavy rain and went into the creeks, and we could smell ammonia sometimes in the air”.
Maybe someone with knowledge of heavy metals and any health hazards relating to nickel mining and processing could inform us?
Alison, can you comment?
Maybe things have improved dramatically since the late 70s, and we have no need to worry?
Or could this be a “divide and conquer” conspiracy to distract us all while the pulp mill goes ahead?
Maybe even vice versa?
See pictures here:
