Greens senator Scott Ludlam has questioned the wisdom of developing a uranium mining industry in WA following the second leak of toxic material from a major uranium mine in the space of a few days.

Radioactive slurry from a holding tank at the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory spewed into the environment on December 7 and today it was revealed that Rio Tinto’s Rossing Mine in Namibia was also leaking.

The Australian Government is prepared to abandon all responsibility for regulating the uranium industry, in direct contradiction to written commitments given by Environment Minister Greg Hunt.

In May 2013, then opposition environment spokesperson Greg Hunt said the Commonwealth would retain control over decisions involving nuclear matters and projects for which state governments are likely to have a significant conflict of interest as the proponent - both of which would cover uranium mining.

While nuclear power is in retreat around the globe, advocates of clean energy had ‘Better Things To Do' than protest the Uranium Conference held in Fremantle today - attending the 'Better Things To Do' renewable energy industry breakfast.

"There's a reason the Australian Uranium Conference shrinks year on year. Nuclear power is in retreat across the globe. Electricity generation from nuclear power plants dropped by a historic seven per cent in 2012, adding to the then record drop of four per cent in 2011," said Senator Scott Ludlam.

The tenuous financial viability of Western Australia's first proposed uranium mine is the subject of a new research paper undertaken by independent market analysts Economists at Large, commissioned by Western Australian Senator Scott Ludlam and a range of environmental groups.

"The study shows that Toro's proposed Wiluna Project may scrape into financially viability if absolutely every possible variable goes Toro's way - but only if the company can avoid clean-up and decommissioning costs," said Senator Ludlam.

Background:

·         Toro Energy submitted their Environmental Review Management Plan (ERMP) for the proposed Wiluna uranium mine at Lake Way to the EPA in early 2011.

·         The Lake Way and Centipede deposits are 17km to 35km from the township of Wiluna in the East Murchison, an odd 600km north of Kalgoorlie.

Dear Minister,

I appreciate your willingness to receive a briefing as you enter the decision phase on the proposed Wiluna Uranium Project in WA.

I have examined the WA EPA Assessment Report 1437 and the WA Minister’s conditions in detail, as well as the proponent’s Environmental Review Management Programme.

There are strong grounds for stating that the WA government and the proponent have not provided you with the information required by law.

Scope of this submission

The Australian Greens strongly condemned today's decision of Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to allow the mining of uranium in Wiluna, Western Australia.

The Greens nuclear policy spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the approval showed Labor could not be trusted to protect the environment or public health.

The Australian Greens have welcomed Environment Minister Tony Burke's decision to delay assessment of Toro's Wiluna uranium project in Western Australia.

“Toro have been telling nervous investors that Commonwealth approvals were a done deal in 2012,” Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

“Minister Burke has done the right thing in calling the company out on its deficient proposal. 

“If the company continues to obfuscate its waste and water management plans, the decision next year should be a resounding 'no'.