Jon Lamb, Darwin
Twelve workers at the Ranger uranium mine near Jabiru were sent home on March 24, after they were poisoned by uranium-contaminated water.
The workers complained of bad nausea and headaches after drinking "strange tasting" water. Staff from the previous night's shift also noted the contaminated water while showering.
Within two hours of workers notifying Energy Resources Australia management, the mine was closed. The affected workers, along with 170 non-essential staff, were sent home without explanation.
According to the March 25 Northen Territory News, one worker said: "They didn't ask whether we needed to seek medical advice... we're all pretty worried because we're not being told anything".
Despite assurances from ERA that the contamination has been contained, it is not known for how long the contaminated water has been mixing with drinking water, which is also used to supply the local airport and some businesses.
The Commonwealth's supervising scientist for the mine, Dr Arthur Johnston, told ABC Radio on March 25 that "the concentration [of uranium] that has been reported to me has been about 400 times the drinking water limit". He also claimed that it contained acids and other chemicals.
Johnston said the problem occurred because a flexible hose was incorrectly connected, allowing contaminated water from a processing pit to mix with the clean water supply.
On March 26, a second incident was revealed when contaminated water reached the water system surrounding Ranger, threatening the wetlands of Kakadu National Park.
Contamination was found in the nearby Coonjumba Billabong, which feeds into Magella Creek. Johnston told ABC radio: "We are now concerned, however, about the traditional owners living downstream and we're concerned about any effects that could have taken place on the environment... I've now requested that the mining company does not resume operations".
It is believed that contaminated water from the mine's retention tanks is responsible for the second incident. ABC TV reported on March 26 that up to 150,000 litres of contaminated water might have been involved.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, March 31, 2004.
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