Conservation group seeks clarity of uranium position from opposition leader

A conservation group fears that uranium mining could be legalised in Queensland, citing a controversial deposit 40km from Townsville as an example of the potential risks involved.

Water sampler Phil Young at the hillside entrance to the Ben Lomond shaft in March 1991.

A North Queensland conservation group fears the uranium mining ban in Queensland could be overturned if the LNP secures power both at state and federal levels.

Their concerns are centred around the controversial Ben Lomond uranium deposit, located 50km west of Townsville, which they believe poses potential environmental risks.

Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald believes Queensland should reconsider its uranium ban and capitalise on a potentially growing industry, as the federal opposition looks towards nuclear energy.

Nuclear sceptics believe Peter Dutton’s push for nuclear energy could pressure his state counterpart, Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli, to lift the uranium ban.

The Ben Lomond site, which has a troubled history, is being held up by environmentalists as a cautionary tale.

Inquiries revealed that back in the 1980-81, heavy rainfall washed radioactive materials from the site’s tailings dump, halting development by French company Minatome.

Even with the blessing of then-Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen to resolve the issues and capitalise on the mineral, it never entered into further production.

In 2016 the deposit made headlines again when then-environment minister Steven Miles said it required an Environmental Protection Order following reports of leaching of contaminants, such as arsenic, lead and uranium, into Keelbottom Creek.

Two years ago, a Canadian-listed company purchased the site for over $3 million, reigniting discussions about its future.

The location on Google Maps of the Ben Lomond site in the Charters Towers region. Picture: Google Maps

North Queensland Conservation Council’s co-ordinator Crystal Falknau used this site as an example of the potential threat of the mineral and said Mr Crisafulli could be under pressure under a Dutton-led federal government.

“David Crisafulli has neither come out in support or opposition, stating simply that nuclear energy is ‘not part of our plan’,” Ms Falknau said.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Without having an energy plan at all, he is leaving Queenslanders in the dark.

“We are calling upon the Queensland LNP to throw their support behind renewable energy and getting the rollout right.”

The Newman government removed a long-held uranium ban in its last six months in office 10 years ago, but it was among the first actions that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk overturned when she came into power in 2015.

IsaEnergy Ltd’s international map of the assets it owns. It owns several deposits in Australia. Besides Ben Lomond, it is exploring at the West Newcastle Range, and owns Milo, along the Queensland border. It explores Yarranna in South Australia.

A spokesman for Mr Crisafulli said uranium did not fit into an LNP led government’s plans.

“Uranium, as previously reported, would need bipartisanship,” the spokesman told the Townsville Bulletin.

Ms McDonald said other states and jurisdictions were exporting uranium, and that it was so far a half billion dollar industry.

She said the mineral had significant growth potential in a world seeking forms of emission-free energy.

“States that do not currently mine their rich uranium deposits should reassess whether their policy settings are still appropriate as global demand increases,” Ms McDonald said.

Senator Susan McDonald has shown support for the LNP’s nuclear plan and supports government driving the plan as opposed to privatising it. She also sees growing potential in uranium mining, and believes the Queensland Government should reconsider its ban. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

In response to the Ben Lomond site, the Senator observed that technology and knowledge had “advanced markedly” since the 1980s, and that throughout the world uranium was being safely extracted.

“Australian mining operates to the world’s most stringent environmental regulations and is one of the country’s biggest employers of environmental scientists,” Ms McDonald said.

Ms McDonald said a Coalition-led government wanted Australia to meet the needs of allies’ zero emissions nuclear energy goals, while achieving its own energy targets.

“Uranium should be on our critical minerals list, Labor isn’t even up to having an adult conversation about uranium and nuclear energy,” she said.

A close-up map of Ben Lomond uranium deposit in the Charters Towers region. Picture: Google Maps

Mundingburra MP Les Walker denounced uranium mining and said there was a risk of projects such as Ben Lomond being developed, considering foreign company IsoEnergy Ltd spent a large sum of money to buy it in recent years.

“The light bulb went on for me, I went ‘hang on, why would you buy a uranium mine that has no value and it’s been shut down for decades because of all the issues in the policy settings of Australia’,” Mr Walker said.

“I would suggest … that they’ve seen this policy shift by the conservatives that we’re going to open the gates on uranium mining, and better still, we’re going to make uranium a power source here in Australia.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker is concerned there could be pressure to overturn a uranium ban, which he said would open the door for historically troubled project Ben Lomond. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Walker said it was clear that a Dutton-led government would “do what they have to” to change legislation it needs to suit its outcomes, such as developing nuclear power.

“Now, my concern is, you want to get closest to the source of that uranium and open up other markets,” he said.

“The other issue is, what are the impacts on our water supply when it comes to security?

“It’s on record online, you don’t have to take my word for it, it’s there.

“And that’s one of the reasons they had to shut it down, due to the stormwater management on that site.

“So that’s when Australia was not as big and as populated as it is today, but the pressure’s on, Dutton has given a commitment this state will do what they’re told if the LNP get into power, and someone’s bought it in recent times.

“Why, you don’t buy something you don’t get a return on.”

Originally published as Conservation group seeks clarity of uranium position from opposition leader