MINING GIANT CAVES TO ENVIRONMENT

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 11:16

The reputation of longwall mining, which cracks rivers and drains wetlands, has suffered a serious blow with BHP Billiton’s decision to drop extensive plans to mine coal under the Dharawal State Conservation Area in the northern Illawarra, said Total Environment Centre (TEC) today.

“BHP Billiton and its consultants were clearly indulging in greenwash when they originally said there would not be serious impacts, but at last they have listened to the valid concerns from environmentalists and the community,” said Mr Jeff Angel, TEC’s executive director. “We hope this signals an ongoing sensitivity to the long term environment impact of the mining industry in Australia.”

The new proposal excludes one-third of the original area and removes all mining near the Dharawal State Conservation Area, including five large mining areas near the Woronora River, Cataract River, O'Hares Creek at the top of the Georges River catchment, and key swamps that feed the rivers.

“This river system and the valuable swamps which feed it are irreplaceable and should be fully protected as a nature reserve,” said Mr Angel. “BHP has made it clear however, that it is not giving up on the five areas, but putting them on hold indefinitely. We will have to be vigilant.”

“TEC and the community will now have to address the massive Gujarat scheme for mining under the catchments – the next mine expansion in this pristine area which Australians will still need long after the mining industry has moved on.”