January 27, 2008
by Gabriel Caplett
The Marquette County Resource Management/Development Department completed a “Hazard Mitigation Plan” for the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Management Division. The plan, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), outlines areas of concern to local and regional law enforcement.
The comprehensiveness of the plan is debatable as it lacks any published citations to support its numerous claims. Perhaps one of the more misplaced and wild claims is that “Terrorism and Sabotage…” represent a significant risk to the County. The plan also lacks consideration of metallic sulfide and uranium mining as potential risks to groundwater supplies and public health in the area. Read the rest of this entry »
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cameco, Eagle Mine, Health, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Minnesota, uranium, water | Tagged: cameco, Eagle Mine, Kennecott, Michigan, public health, Rio Tinto, uranium, yellow dog plains | 
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Posted by LSMN
April 2, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
Since opening its McArthur River uranium mine, in 1999, Cameco Corporation has been the world’s largest producer of uranium for use in power plants and weapons systems. While Canada supplies roughly 30% of the world’s uranium, McArthur provides 20% of the world’s supply and is the largest high-grade, underground uranium mine in the world.[1]
An April, 2003 cave-in and flood of radioactive water at McArthur stopped production for three months. Cameco admitted that consultant’s reports had warned of caving and flooding as the mine did not possess adequate water pumping and treatment capacity or proper contingency plans in the event of an accident. Cameco also conceded that their engineering used non-standard methodology and could not relate to standard industry practice.[2]
A Canadian Broadcasting Channel (CBC) report revealed that Cameco was expecting a flood months prior to the incident. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | cameco, Canada, indigenous, public land, uranium, water pollution, workers | Tagged: Bitterroot, cameco, Canada, first nation, Trans Superior, uranium, water pollution, workers | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
March 4, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
Over the past decade, China’s rapidly expanding economy has caused a dramatic jump in metal prices, specifically copper. Although some analysts predicted a 30% decline in copper prices for 2007[1], a BHP-Billiton (BHP) executive, Diego Hernandez, noted recently that “the market is firm,” citing that demand from China will continue to support record prices: “…last year the Chinese bought less because they used a lot of inventory and have now started to go back to the market.”[2]
In 2003, then-Rio Tinto chairman Robert Wilson said “China’s growth, with its heavy emphasis on infrastructure development, has become a major influence in the market for many of our products….China’s consumption of metal has been growing by more than 10 per cent annually and rapid growth seems likely to continue.”[3] Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | China, economy, human rights, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Minnesota, uranium | Tagged: Africa, China, economy, human rights, Minnesota, Rio Tinto, uranium, west papua | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
February 7, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
On January 9, 2007, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted preliminary approval of Kennecott Mineral’s Eagle Mine permit. The potential metallic sulfide mine is on the Yellow Dog Plains, within a few miles of the shores of Lake Superior. This decision should not have come as a surprise to anyone. According to one member of the DEQ, “the DEQ [is] leaning toward approving the application regardless of any deficiencies.” This fact was already clear to anyone that has attended DEQ hearings/public forums on the issue. To be as polite as possible, the DEQ has found it difficult to mask their disregard for us Yoopers and citizens of Michigan.
Citizens rally in front of Michigan Capitol Building, December 2005; Photo courtesy Andy Gregg
Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | civil disobedience, Eagle Mine, human rights, indigenous, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, Michigan, uranium, Wisconsin | Tagged: civil disobedience, deq, dnr, Eagle Mine, economy, human rights, Kennecott, Law, Michigan, native american, public land, Rio Tinto, uranium, Wisconsin | Permalink
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