r.a.c.e

Residents against contaminated environments

 

 

 

 

Prevention

Lead contamination is always going to be a problem in Broken Hill, But we can lessen the effects with some simple measures washing of hands regularly is a must. keeping children out of high lead level areas is important as well. greening your yard is a good way to help control the lead in your own yards, trees and grass help. And a clean shielded area for children to play can help reduce their lead levels.

But ultimately it is the Councils, Governments and the Mines themselves that must protect the community from the effects of mining on the environment and the residents of Broken Hill. In the past The State Government and Broken Hill City Council paid to remediate the worst effected areas of Broken Hill, with tax and rate payers money. That and the cessation and capping of the Rasp mine has reduced the blood lead levels in our children considerably. Since the Rasp mine began operations lead levels have again begun to rise. It is a fact that if Rasp mine starts crushing the ore from the Old Kintore pit, (which not only contains the ore but the toxic tailings that have been dumped there over many years) these levels will rise dramatically to a point where many children and adults will become ill.

The only way to prevent this is if Rasp mine is prevented from getting permission from council and State Government for all 3 stages of their mining operations. And the only way that will happen is if the residents stand up and voice their concerns.

The safest way for Rasp to continue to operate in the centre of the city is if it is restricted to underground mining. In other areas mining operations are carried out underground including a crusher and Mill this would be more expensive for the Rasp mine but much safer for the community. An open Cut mine at RASP would be disasterous for the community.