Mirarr traditional owners welcome call for monitoring uranium health hazards in Kakadu

22 November 2006

The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation issues the following statement on the release of the report 'Aborigines and Uranium: Monitoring the Health Hazards'.

The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation represents the Mirarr People, the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of land upon which the Ranger Uranium Mine operates and the proposed Jabiluka Uranium Mine is located.

'The Corporation makes no comment on the scientific or sociological content of this report but welcomes any discussion that promotes the detailed investigation of the health hazards of uranium mining.

'While we were disappointed that the report's authors sought no input from the Traditional Owners of the land upon which the Ranger Uranium Mine operates and nowhere refer to the voluminous reports prepared by the Corporation on the social effects of uranium mining, we support the report's primary recommendation.

'The report rightly recommends that the health hazards of uranium mining should be more closely and consistently monitored. While particular attention has been paid to the environmental effects of uranium mining in Kakadu through the Office of the Supervising Scientist, scant attention has been paid to the health effects of this development. Notably, these health effects include the social and cultural impacts of mining.

'The Corporation supports the recommendation that the Australian Government urgently provide for the ongoing monitoring of the health effects of uranium mining in the region via a dedicated and independent agency.'

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For further background information ONLY contact Mr Graham Dewar, Executive Officer, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation on 08 8979 2200 or 0418 823 356.

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