tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878643531164799131.post4272885688594565929..comments2020-03-13T01:16:24.071+10:30Comments on unknownsa journal: the case of the missing mineralsbillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11655761514021780806noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878643531164799131.post-6831220868751329452009-03-04T09:46:00.000+10:302009-03-04T09:46:00.000+10:30There seems to be a school of thought that holds t...There seems to be a school of thought that holds that 'wisdom' consists of what I think of as 'even-high-handedness'; claiming an omniscience above the fray and adopting a patronising position with regard to both sides.<BR/><BR/>More foolish mortals are then often chastised for pursuing 'non-issues' that are irrelevant in the purview of the sages.<BR/><BR/>In this case, the Mount Gee fluorite deposit really is a bona-fide, ridgy-didge Geological Monument and works near it had to be cleared by a committee (who noted specifically that there was no reason for the company to approach it.) Violating it appears to have been seen as non-trivial by some interesting actors, including Marathon itself, and the Minister for Minerals and Energy.<BR/><BR/>In fact, for the latter, this issue has triggered his effectively perpetually suspending the company's exploration activities (very significant given the lease expiry set for November)<BR/><BR/>Minister Paul Holloway answering a question from Mark Parnell in his <A HREF="http://unknownsa.blogspot.com/2009/02/has-marathon-run-its-race.html" REL="nofollow">recent speech to the Legislative Council</A>:<BR/><BR/>"the honourable member... would be aware that <B>some issues arose in relation to the fluorite matter that pointed to some deficiencies within the Mining Act in terms of how these matters might be dealt with</B>.<BR/><BR/>I will be bringing some amendments into this parliament. Certainly, I would not be contemplating any further activity by Marathon at least and until that legislation was in place, and that might well be some time away..." [emphasis mine]<BR/><BR/>This isn't some Schrödinger's Cat-like intellectual exercise - mining either happens in Arkaroola, or it does not. One either actively supports it, does something to oppose it, or fails to oppose it, thereby passively endorsing it.<BR/><BR/>I am certainly not wise enough to be above all this, and that's possibly the reason I expect to shortly be celebrating another victory via active campaign participation; the removal of a third mining company from the Flinders Ranges.<BR/><BR/>The first was Manna Hill Resources from the Weetootla Gorge (winning fully-protected status for the entire Gammon Ranges National Park in the process), then SAMAG / MgIL from the Beetaloo Valley, and now Marathon from Arkaroola. <BR/><BR/>There's also the small matter of a half-million hectare Wilderness Protection Area (and mining exclusion zone) in Yellabinna.<BR/><BR/>In my unsophisticated opinion Marx was right; 'the philosophers have only interpreted the world; the point, however, is to change it.'<BR/><BR/>I certainly agree that it's 'silly' to start mining in Arkaroola in the first place, and we intend to take up the Minister and SACOME's offer to negotiate drawing up mining no-go zones.<BR/><BR/>But to my mind one rarely gets into a position to negotiate merely by being clever...billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655761514021780806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878643531164799131.post-35559916522901682582009-03-03T00:15:00.000+10:302009-03-03T00:15:00.000+10:30Yes it would great if the area is preserved, there...Yes it would great if the area is preserved, there are other significant Uranium deposits in the country in less unique and inspiring country. Its very rugged and beautiful in that part of the world. <BR/><BR/>Even if mining would not disturb the visual beauty of Mt Gee (being underground extraction apparently) it is nice to just completely preserve some areas from mining. There would have to be a large tails dam somewhere, large noisy, grubby trucks, blasting and other noise pollution etc. Its probably not going to have the environmental impact that most would have you believe - but why do we need any impact? Why can't we just say NO (or yes) to mining in particular areas, early on and save all the argument and all the public money in wasted investment and save the environmental scars of such wasted mineral exploration if a belated NO verdict is given. My gosh what a silly fiasco this all is.<BR/><BR/>For example, rather than face real issues both parties are arguing about sideline semantics. Non-issues such as Fluorite theft?? Rare mineral - Fluorite? No, not at all. It is a very common rock forming mineral. Nor is it precious. It is certainly beautiful though and there are several places in the weathered granites of the Flinders Ranges where it can be found. Fossicking or digging of such a Fluorite vein is hardly a loss to the geological heritage of the country. <BR/><BR/>(Actually Arkaroola has ample evidence of similar such fossicking with all the mineral samples scattered around its grounds - so lets be fair!)<BR/><BR/>Nice site and good luck with the campaign.<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/>JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878643531164799131.post-40095088213976896032008-09-25T18:35:00.000+09:302008-09-25T18:35:00.000+09:30no worries mike - as for the advertiser i was as s...no worries mike - <BR/><BR/>as for the advertiser i was as surprised as anyone that they actually did publish it; believe me, they haven't posted several of mine in the past, too...<BR/><BR/>still, we can but plug onbillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11655761514021780806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6878643531164799131.post-41665113916737881742008-09-23T16:19:00.000+09:302008-09-23T16:19:00.000+09:30Great post Bill. Hope you don't mind, but I've po...Great post Bill. Hope you don't mind, but I've posted it, with acknowledgement, on my blog. Good to see your comment on the Adelaide Now website the other day.. I tried one, but they didn't put it up. The struggle continues...Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01878524757860159914noreply@blogger.com