Document Actions
Cape Alumina should come clean on protection of Wenlock River - 09/01/09
The Wilderness Society Queensland (TWSQ) today called on mining company Cape Alumina to come clean on its response to the Queensland Government’s wild river protection proposal for the Wenlock River on Cape York Peninsula. New information posted on the company’s website brings into question the previous claims by the Company that it would not be seeking exemptions to the river protection proposal.
TWSQ has opposed the Cape Alumina mine on environmental grounds, as it would involve strip mining a pristine area of Cape York Peninsula and part of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, as well as taking water from the Wenlock River.
Glenn Walker, Wild Rivers Campaigner for TWSQ said: “The Wenlock River is one of our last great wild rivers. It has immense conservation importance as it is home to the richest diversity of freshwater fish species in Australia, provides critical crocodile habitat, and is an important oasis for native wildlife on Cape York during the dry season.”
The Queensland Government released the draft Wenlock wild river protection proposal in early December 2008. Just one week earlier, Cape Alumina CEO Paul Messenger declared on ABC radio that his company was not seeking any exemptions*. However, new information on the company’s website suggests that they may seek to reduce the extent of areas protected over their proposed mining lease.
“The Wenlock and surrounding region are under serious threat from Cape Alumina’s strip mining proposals which includes the clearing of forests and woodlands through removing the top part of the landscape, extracting large volumes of water from the river, and dredging a channel in sensitive habitat in Port Musgrave”.
“Cape Alumina needs to come clean. The company has previously told the public that they are not seeking any exemptions, but are now advising prospective shareholders that the Wenlock protection proposal may impact upon the viability of the mine” said Mr. Walker.
Cape Alumina has been seeking shareholder support to float the company on the Australian Stock Exchange. However in a letter to investors on 19 December 2008 the company has offered people the option of withdrawing their investment until 19 January 2009 due to the risks associated with the Wenlock wild river protection proposal.
TWSQ has vowed to push for larger buffer zones around the streams and rainforest springs covering the mining area to ensure the full and proper protection of sensitive areas. The current proposed buffer zones would effectively protect at least 15% of the mine production area from destructive mining activities.
