Lake Way flooding proves Wiluna unviable

After yesterday flying over Lake Way to see the extent of flooding in the area, WA Greens spokesperson on uranium Robin Chapple MLC has expressed deep concern about the future of proposed uranium mining on the lake bed.
 
Toro Energy Ltd plans to store radioactive tailings from the proposed Wiluna uranium mine – up to 100 million tonnes – in the mined-out Centipede and Millipede pits, which will also reside on the lake bed and are currently underwater.
 
The company has previously cited flooding as a non-issue claiming the lake to be a natural drainage point however photographs taken by the Hon Robin Chapple MLC reveal this to be untrue.
 
Mr Chapple said the extensive flooding at Lake Way raised very serious concerns about the ability of Toro Energy Ltd to effectively manage water whilst mining such a volatile mineral on a lake bed.
 
“I do not believe this company has properly accounted, nor planned, for potential flooding to the extent we have seen this week at Lake Way,” he said.
 
“Not only would flood waters of this magnitude carry radioactive material to other parts of the ecosystem but upon drying out, could potentially release large quantities of oxidised uranium – radioactive dust – into the atmosphere.
 
“Had this been an active mine site we would now be dealing with an environmental disaster on a large scale.”
 
For comment please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255.
 
Media liaison: Tim Oliver
Mobile: 0431 9696 25
 
Flooding - Lake Way 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extent of flooding - Lake Way
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proposed Centipede pit site completely submerged, service road visible
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drainage occuring outside of lake boundaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proposed Millipede Pit site - Cleared ground and service roads visible on banks, test pit is fully submerged
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