BHP longwall consultation rort

Friday, 23 March 2007 20:37

The comments come in response to a member of the committee handing in her resignation on Tuesday night after BHP Billiton tabled a proposal to gag members from speaking about the damage longwall mining is causing to the cliffs and riverbed of the Upper Cataract River.

"What we have here is a situation where BHP Billiton's longwall mining has damaged yet one more river within Sydney's southern drinking catchments. The buffer zone put in place to protect the river was woefully inadequate and instead of acknowledging that, the company has chosen to embark down the path of censorship and intimidation", said TEC Natural Areas Campaigner David Burgess.

"Engaging with the community is meant to be just that and the representatives on community consultation committees should be free to disseminate information to the sections of the community they represent. BHP Billiton's reference to 'group goals' can only mean that the company wants to keep the damage out of the public eye and continue to make enormous profits from coal mining at the expense of our rivers and water supply."

"The TEC will raise this and other longwall mining issues with the next Minister. The Appin 3 mine, which has caused the latest damage to the Cataract River, is quickly gaining a poor reputation. Sydney Catchment Authority recommendations for bigger buffer zones were ignored and BHP Billiton was less than forthcoming with information during the approval process. The NSW Government's approvals process is clearly flawed", Mr Burgess concluded.

The BHP Billiton website states:
"Communication is the key to forming relationships, sharing ideas, debating issues and resolving conflicts ... We are committed to engaging effectively with our host communities and other stakeholders including governments, NGOs and academic institutions ... with the intent that effective, transparent and open communication and consultation is maintained..."