Walk Away From Uranium Mining

Most people are not aware of where uranium comes from and its effect on communities and the environment. Uranium mining is the first step in the nuclear chain that fuels a deadly and unsustainable nuclear power industry, nuclear weapons proliferation and millions of tons of toxic radioactive waste. The long-term environmental impacts, workers health risks and the devastating effects it has on indigenous communities are numerous. Problems begin as early as mineral exploration and continue well after the closing of a mine.

Aboriginal communities and people through out Australia know too well the long-term damage done by the uranium mining industry: dispossession, displacement and coercion. It is with this concern that a battle is raging in Western Australia, since the Western Australia State Government lifted the ban on uranium mining. Companies including mining giant BHP Billiton have been rushing to begin mining uranium in W.A. There are currently 140 companies that operate in W.A that have interests in uranium. For more info: www.ccwa.org.au

Along with Kazakhstan and Canada, Australia is one of the world's largest suppliers of uranium, which fuels electricity-generation at nuclear power stations. According to the Australian Uranium Association (AUA) 9,000 to 10,000 tons of uranium oxide concentrate is shipped from Australia per year. Approximately, 15 to 17% of annual Australian uranium exports go to Japan - one-fifth of Japan’s requirements. Among other destinations for Australian uranium are the USA, United Kingdom, France, Finland, South Korea and Taiwan.

Australia is directly involved in the nuclear emergency in Japan.  Mining companies Rio Tinto & BHP Billiton sell significant amounts of uranium to Japan - up to 3000 tones of uranium a year in total.  It is likely that Australian uranium contributed to the nuclear material that is leaking and exploding in those reactors in Japan, as the Tokyo Electric Power Company that operates the Fukushima nuclear power plant, buy and burn Australian uranium.

Marcus Atkinson from Footprints for Peace stated, "The Australian Government and nuclear industry needs to respect the wishes of Traditional Custodians and also take responsibility for the radiation that is still contaminating the Fukushima area. Much of this is being generated by uranium that was exported from Australia. To say that the Australian Government will continue to export uranium is to have no regard for Aboriginal community concerns, future generations, or the well being of children in these effected areas."

Footprints for Peace is a United States based NGO with over a decade of experience leading walks focused on a carbon free - nuclear free world, while working in solidarity with local Indigenous communities. This year with the push on expanding uranium mining in Australia, Footprints for Peace is taking their walk to the proposed mine sites of the Western Australia desert to walk in solidarity with Aboriginal people who are saying no to uranium mining on their sacred lands. This is an unprecedented international community development event in regional Western Australia, in the promotion of peace that will unite communities from all over the world towards a nuclear free future.

The Walk Away from Uranium Mining is a grassroots awareness raising and non-violent action based campaign in solidarity with the Aboriginal people to ban uranium mining in Western Australia. This event is being Co-organised by Footprints for Peace, Aboriginal-led WANFA (Western Australia Nuclear Free Alliance), ANAWA (Anti-Nuclear Alliance of W.A.), CCWA (Conservation Council of W.A.) & BUMP (Ban Uranium Mining Permanently).

Walk away from Uranium Mining will be a 10-week walk from the proposed uranium mine sites located in the Wiluna area of Western Australia. The walk will bring together people from around the world to walk the land and hear directly from the Aboriginal communities being threatened by these proposed mines. It will form international alliances with Native American people and activists from France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S as we walk together and learn first hand about the reality and human rights abuses perpetuated by the uranium mining industry.

Many indigenous and non-indigenous people from around the world are willing to take the 10 weeks out of their lives and walk the 25km a day mostly through remote desert communities to bring public awareness to these issues.

Many of these people have limited access to financial support, please help to cover some of their expenses for food, water and other much needed supplies during this 10-week walk. All tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated at http://footprints.footprintsforpeace.net/nffcampaign/NFFDonations.htm

More info at www.nuclearfreefuture.com
Contact Marcus Atkinson marcus@footprintsforpeace.org
Phone +61 400505765