SIMO’s argument against mining
Since 1950, Stradbroke Island has been mined for silica sand (for glassmaking and foundry uses), and for mineral sands such as ilmenite, zircon and rutile. Mining leases, which are off-limits to the public, cover 70 per cent of the island. The barge service and roads and electricity supply were initially provided to service mining companies.
After 60 years of mining, mineral resources are considerably depleted. Mineral sand mining operations should cease in another 15 years or so when the two mines, Enterprise and Yarraman, are due to finish. The silica sand industry shows no sign of quitting the island yet. Much of Stradbroke has been earmarked for National Park, a conflicting use.
Mining has resulted in irreversible ecological damage: de-stabilisation of the water table, draining of some inland lakes, destruction of wildlife habitats, major sand slips, and the misaligned placement of sand tailings at 90 degrees to the original ancient parabolic dune structures. Old-growth forests are wasted: 97 per cent of timber felled in the mine paths is burnt. Mining’s detrimental impacts to the environment also affect the island’s tourism potential. Some re-vegetated areas will take 200 years or longer to revert to ‘pristine’ condition, scarring the landscape and reducing the island’s biodiversity for generations.
‘Mining destroys the landscape and ecological values of land. It severely impacts on cultural values and in many cases has destroyed cultural resources, including sensitive habitat and breeding areas…Mining activities have caused damage to natural water systems, including to catchments, especially by altering the complex underground hydrological conditions and the cutting of channels through Eighteen Mile Swamp… Mining company activities have in many cases restricted Aboriginal access to their traditional land while at the same time establishing a web of unformed roads throughout the island. Mining roads, which are continuously and illegally used by tourists, are a conduit for pest species of vegetation etc and are having disastrous impacts on ecological systems.’ North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah Planning and Management Study: Aboriginal Cultural Issues Component Study, Stage Two Report’, 2000 (PDF)
via Conservationist asks that devastation of North Stradbroke be stopped.
