SA: Protesters decry BHP Billiton's proposed expansion

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2009
SA: Protesters decry BHP Billiton's proposed expansion

A mass of black balloons has covered the steps of the South Australian parliament during
protests against BHP Billiton's proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine.

The rally marks the final hours open for comment on the environmental impact statement
for the proposed expansion.

Greens Legislative Council member MARK PARNELL says the balloons are a poignant symbol
of a proposal that should be sent back to the drawing board.

He says 13 million black balloons would be needed to represent greenhouse gas emission
from one hour's operation.

Mr PARNELL also says the desalination plant BHP wants to build to supply water for
the plant is just a few hundred metres from the world's only site of breeding cuttlefish.

AAP RTV lcs/sl/crh

KEYWORD: URANIUM SA (ADELAIDE)

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