Ms. Clare Martin
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
GPO Box 3146
Darwin NT 0801
AUSTRALIA

RE: McArthur River Mine

Dear Chief Minister Martin,

I am very disturbed regarding the possible approval of the McArthur River Mine open cut project. For the sake of the local native Australians, and of your nation's environmental integrity, I urge you to stop this terribly flawed project.

The EPA Program and the Minister for Environment rejected this proposal back in February because:

• The baseline and monitoring studies conducted by the company have been inadequate.
• There are strong concerns about the stability of the proposed diversion channels for both the McArthur River and Barney Creek, particularly concerns about erosion and the difficulties of re-vegetating the new channel.
• There are very serious potential impacts on the endangered freshwater sawfish and migratory bird species such as the white-browed robin.
• There are very serious concerns about the ongoing leakage of contaminants into surrounding waterways from the tailings dam and waste rock dump.
• There is a serious long-term risk posed by the mine when mining ends 25 years from now.

The massive open pit will be left as a void in the middle of the current river channel, which is itself located on a floodplain. The fatal problems identified in earlier reports and submissions that recommended against the original mine plan have not changed to any significant degree in the amended proposal!

The mining company has also acknowledged that its consultation process with Aboriginal Traditional Owners living downstream from the mine and in the Sir Edward Pellew Islands has been inadequate. Many Aboriginal people in the Borroloola area including the Traditional Owner of the MacArthur River remain opposed to the open cut project. The risks of the project impacting important environmental values and affecting the ability of local Aboriginal communities to develop sustainable economies are of great concern.

Please do NOT value short-term economic considerations over the long-term well-being of the environment and the people who rely on it for survival. Please protect the McArthur River, its marine environment, and the communities that rely on it by taking immediate action to stop Xstrata from proceeding with the open cut project.

EAN Alerts Email List | Tell a Friend | Links | Contact | Site Map