GRAAFF-REINET | ABERDEEN NEWS — The closing date for comments on the proposed uranium mining activity in the Kareepoort block area near Aberdeen is fast approaching.
On behalf of the group “STOP uranium mining in the Karoo“, Chris and Margot Hayward of Rooidraai are aiming to get 1 000 e-mails to be sent to Ferret mining to let them know how many people feel passionate about the dangers of uranium mining in the Karoo.
Uranium poses untold long-term ecological and health risks, as experienced in Fukushima in Japan in 2011 and the Chernobyl disaster in Russia 31 years ago.
Hayward has compiled his own report stating objections and outlining deficiencies in the report on surface water, which he has submitted to Ferret Mining. He feels that the surface water component of the Draft EIA & EMPr report is totally inadequate and should be redone and then peer reviewed before being resubmitted.
“Fundamental ecological facts were not understood by the research team as submitted in their very brief few paragraphs … in the EIA report,” said Hayward.
“No reference is made to the obvious source of the surface water, rainfall. Right here the author should have established the mean annual rainfall and most importantly the high values of precipitation per hour or per day expected with a dramatic Karoo summer thunderstorm. This would be the obvious source of the potentially catastrophic ecological nightmare when an open cast mining trench or pit would fill up and overflow”. Several other thoughtful points are raised in this well-researched submission, including the potentially devastating effects on the local ecosystems.
Ground water resources are of vital importance to life in the Karoo, and Hayward contends that uranium mining poses severe and unacceptably high risks to both ground and surface water in the form of over-extraction and contamination.
He feels that the report in the EIA relies on various models and scenarios, but the Karoo geology does not necessarily conform to the theoretical scope expected in the American- based numerical models. “The reality is that farmers who have lived in the area have found that the drawdown effect of boreholes is over a much wider area than this model’s mere 3km. This could be verified by farmers within 20km of the proposed mining site residing on similar geological formations. If boreholes dry up or are contaminated, agriculture will collapse”.
The EIA makes the assumption that agriculture and uranium mining can co-exist in the Karoo landscape, which Hayward contends is not possible. Farmers feel that the risks of contamination of agricultural products through dust, water and soil pose unacceptably high risks to the agricultural sector. The export of alpaca wool and mohair fibre, and meat and livestock originating in the Karoo, are but some of the high value commodities, the contamination of which would have disastrous consequences should the export market be shut down as a result of uranium mining. The direct competition for water by the mines will also threaten agriculture due to over-extraction and contamination by the mines. “Neither of these factors can be adequately mitigated. How do you mitigate depleted ground water and dry boreholes?” concludes Hayward.
Another factor to be considered is that the land values in the proximity of the mine, including the nearby towns, would greatly decrease once the noise, dust and water pollution impacts are felt. This will impact on all the farmers in a very wide area, as well as residents of the small Karoo towns. Many of these residents have chosen to retire to the Karoo for the peace, quiet, and unpolluted air. Municipalities would also have to adjust their land values, consequently, collect less revenue in levies and taxes and end up with less money, while potentially having to do more road repairs and incur other costs indirectly related to a mining operation.
Hayward also feels that promises of work, and opportunities for small local contractors, are misleading, and would be far outweighed by the potential loss of jobs in the agricultural sector.
The long-term sustainability and viability of the mine’s economic model are questioned on the financial side, where the current spot price for uranium is $23 to $28 per pound.
Stefan and Erika Cramer have contributed a massive amount of research and input into the effects of the proposed mining, and together with Chris and Margot Hayward they undertook an inspirational anti -uranium journey dubbed the “Boer tot Boer Toer” in November last year to Rietbron, Skeurfontein on the N12, Merweville, Fraserburg, Loxton and Nelspoort.
The continued input, energy and steadfast opinions of farmers and local people in many districts all pulling together have been an inspiration to those opposing the mining.
A final word from Chris Hayward: “Miners promise much in their reports, but a lack of delivery leaves the local community with the problem when it goes wrong! The miners may be well gone when a slime dam leaks toxins into the watercourses”.
The deadline for comment is this Friday, April 22. Those opposed to the proposed uranium mining are asked to email their objections to the following email addresses: tim@ferretmining.co.za; erika@ferretmining.co.za; stopuraniummining@gmail.com.
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