ABERDEEN NEWS — Carte Blanche, a cutting edge investigative journalism television series that airs on M-Net, recently interviewed concerned Karoo farmers on the subject of uranium mining in the Aberdeen area.
This follows the recent discovery of a new succulent species, Nananthus, whose habitat is the exact area where proposed uranium mining is to take place.
The documentary team investigated the anti-uranium aspect with Chris and Margot Hayward and Phillip and Joan McNaughton, all of whom have extensively researched the detrimental effect of such mining.
Joan McNaughton objects on the following grounds: “Uranium mining presents a unique challenge because it deals with toxic substances, which require long-term mitigation measures. The onus is on the government authorities to ensure that long-term health, safety and environmental protection is in place, is well funded and sustainable. Given that the State has a notoriously poor record of enforcement…the long-term cumulative impacts are beyond reasonable risk levels, and therefore uranium mining in South Africa should not be considered.”
What concerns Phillip McNaughton are the ‘Shortfalls in methodology and application resulting in a misrepresentation of flora in the assessment area.’ The EIA that was conducted, is, in his opinion, a poor response – he says that details such as the fact that more than 100 species do not even appear on the EIA species inventory do not make for a comprehensive or accurate study.
These concerned parties expressed to Carte Blanche that they feel that the most important issues are the long-term effects of uranium mining. Radioactive contamination of the Karoo IS significant.
The current custodians who are fighting this issue will not be here forever – but the beautiful, fragile Karoo will remain – and what state will it be left in for future generations?
Carte Blanche also interviewed Tasman and Ferret Mining Companies to obtain their opinions and input on the uranium mining debate. The documentary will be aired on Carte Blanche on Sunday, June 4.
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