Figures obtained by the Australian Greens reveal the high risk of mishap from the uranium industry at a time when the WA Government is trying to hose down the danger.

“Data on train and truck accidents show how risky it would be to transport uranium around WA, as planned by the many companies that already have mining licences covering WA uranium ore bodies,” Greens Nuclear Spokesperson Scott Ludlam said.

“Mr Moore has said that he is asking South Australian authorities for advice about uranium protocols, but the statistics show that South Australia’s freight accident rates are no better than WA’s.

“According to Australian Transport Safety Bureau, WA experiences on average more than 35 train derailments and collisions per year.

“Meanwhile, statistics from the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport show that the annual average number of rigid and articulated truck accidents in WA tops 2000.

“Just one of dozens of companies which hope to mine and uranium in WA – Canadian-owned Mega Uranium – is talking about transporting uranium from Lake Maitland to Port Hedland by road or by rail via Kalgoorlie, to Adelaide or Darwin.

“Even if we can reduce train and truck accidents, the risk of radioactive yellowcake powder escaping during a crash and being ingested by people is too high.

“Concerns relating to the transport are sufficient for the Government to rule out uranium mining. 

“There are also many direct health risks posed to local communities by the proposed uranium mines themselves, such as the vast amount of radioactive tailings that would be produced, from which dust and radon gas could be blown and inhaled by people nearby.

“Both the product and the tailings from uranium mines remain radioactive for hundreds of years. If people ingest radon gas or dust, they face increased risk of cancer and other illnesses later in life.”

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