Example: Olympic Dam mine at Roxby Downs, Australia
Destructive long-term consequences of uranium mining
The radiation from the uranium tailings (mining waste) is many million times more dangerous to humans than the radiation from the ore in its original state, says German engineer Hans-Peter Schnelbögl,
These tailings are being produced in vast quantities in Australia – 14,000 tonnes each day.
They will cost human lives for millions of years.
By law, the tailings are required to be safely contained for 1000 years. Erosion may start within a 100 years. Even after 1000 years, the tailings retain 99% of their radioactivity – a scientific fact
[The uranium tailings issue presents an unprecedented challenge to our ethical framework paralleled only by the potential for a large scale nuclear war.]
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