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Group objects to coal mine near the Fitzroy River

THERESE PHILLIPSBroome Advertiser

A concerned group of local people are lodging a comprehensive objection to a mining licence.

Rey Resources has applied to mine near the Fitzroy River and the Mining Warden has recommended the licence be granted.

A public meeting in Broome last week discussed risks involved with mining near the river.

The group considered the matter so important they decided to submit a late objection.

Spokeswoman Dr Anne Poelina told the meeting the issue had already affected the community and asked the Nyikina Mangala Native Title Working Group, which is working with Rey Resources, to take scientific information into account.

The meeting heard from Professor Peter Cooke, from UWA’s Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management.

Professor Cooke was commissioned to provide an independent environmental risk assessment report on potential coal mining.

His report was to have particular reference to Rey Resources, which has 38 separate exploration leases in the Canning Basin, covering 8000sqkm.

Professor Cooke said his study looked at potential environmental risks from coal mining in the Canning Basin and used examples from existing mine sites, given there was no coal mining there already.

Rey Resources’ annual report 2010 indicated its strategy included using the small Duchess Paradise mine site to generate revenue for future lease mining expansion.

Professor Cooke advised the small Duchess Paradise site should be viewed in context of the bigger lease holding.

Rey Resources applied in October last year for a mining licence for the Duchess Paradise lease — the licence which is being objected to.

Dominant sentiment at the meeting was companies looking to buy coal should go to areas where operations were already underway such as the Latrobe Valley in Victoria and that regardless of proximity, the Kimberley was not a quarry site for India and China.

Other issues raised at the meeting included threats to waterways and fishing, and the social and financial future for those in the Derby area.

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