Kimberley conservation group urges government to rule out bauxite mining in far north Kimberley
Following a recent announcement that a company called ‘Valperlon’ (VBX) has raised capital to progress its years-old bauxite mining proposal in the far north Kimberley, Environs Kimberley (EK) has called on the Cook government to rule out such destructive mining in the region.
EK Executive Director Martin Pritchard said, “The north Kimberley is one of the most intact tropical terrestrial, coastal and marine environments in the world. It is not just a State and national treasure, it is globally unique.
“In 2021 EK made its submission to the EPA assessment of this proposal, recommending it be rejected. There are numerous compelling reasons why strip mining for bauxite in this region is entirely environmentally unacceptable, including threats to high conservation value monsoon rainforest patches and impacts from port development to the outstanding marine environment adjacent to the minesite - which is now a marine park.
Humpback dolphins in the north Kimberley. Photo: Martin Pritchard.
“The Cook government must do what the Barnett government did ten years ago in relation to possible bauxite mining on the iconic Mitchell Plateau, south of this proposal.
“Premier Barnett had the foresight to terminate the State Agreement that would have allowed strip mining for bauxite on the Mitchell Plateau. For exactly the same reasons, strip mining for bauxite further north near Kalumburu should also be permanently ruled out.
“The decision by the Barnett government to remove the longstanding threat of bauxite mining on the Mitchell Plateau via enactment of the Alumina Refinery (Mitchell Plateau) Agreement (Termination) Act 2015, clearly indicated the WA government’s strong view that bauxite mining is not an acceptable activity in the North Kimberley.
“As Premier Barnett stated at the time, ‘The termination legislation will also prevent the making or granting of any mining or exploration tenement applications over the Mitchell Plateau area until the area has become a Class A National Park. The Government has also acted to protect adjacent areas from mining tenement applications through the creation of an exemption under section 19 of the Mining Act 1978.’”
“The thought of turning this beautiful region into another landscape ravaged by bauxite strip mining is mind-boggling. Bauxite companies have already laid waste to tens of thousands of hectares of jarrah forest in WA’s south west. Such a disaster must not be inflicted on the north Kimberley.”
Bauxite mine in the North Kimberley? Have your say!
|
The Kimberley coast is one of the most intact tropical marine environments left on earth. It is home to Australia’s largest inshore reef, extensive seagrass meadows and corals, and threatened species such as the Dugong and five types of marine turtle, which nest here. According to the WA Government’s Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy; The north Kimberley, which includes the Prince Regent River, Drysdale River and Mitchell Plateau is one of few relatively untouched large wild areas left in the world. The north Kimberley is one of only two places on mainland Australia where all of the native mammal species present at the time of European settlement still occur. A good place for a bauxite mine? We’ve just been notified of a new proposal that would industrialise the North Kimberley coast and Marine Park. The proposed bauxite mine would completely destroy nearly 2,000 hectares of the so far unspoilt North Kimberley coast. The proposal includes bauxite loading facilities in the Marine Park. We only have until January 26 to let the EPA know that this proposal is unacceptable. You can find details of the proposalhere (Click on 'Referral' at the bottom of the page to reveal two documents). Please send an email to the EPA. You can email your submission directly to the EPA [email protected] The subject name is Wuudagu Bauxite Project – Public comment Here are some key points you can use in your submission:
Photo: Humpback Dolphins in the North Kimberley Marine Park Want to support our work? We rely on donations and fundraising to protect special places like the North Kimberley, if you'd like to support our work please become a member or make a tax-deductible donation Or donate direct into our account: Environs Kimberley Giftfund BSB 325 185; Account Number: 03626193 - please send us an email with your postal address so we can send you a tax deductible receipt! Thank you!
|