The mining activities play important roles in the Kakadu national park bringing jobs and money to the region. Since the mines establishment in 1980 and 1998 there has been much debate over weather they should be there. People have argued over the impacts it would have on the environment and on the people who live there most of who are Aboriginal. So, how have the mining activities in Kakadu National Park impacted on the biophysical and cultural environment?
Firstly lets look at the resident's main cause for protest against the min, the risk of contaminants being released from the site. The Ranger mine is one of the most regulated mines in the world to keep the mine running safely and cleanly. The mine's policy on releasing contaminated water from the waste rock piles is to channel the water through dams and artificial wetland which are proven to help clean the water.
Aerial view of the Ranger 3 Uranium mining site at...
Ranger Uranium Mine in Kakadu National Park.
Fishing - Yellow Water billabong, Kakadu National ...Another problem with the contamination of water supply is the monsoonal climate. During a period of rain the mine will keep all rainwater onsite until it is ready to be released. It will then go through the same process. At the Jabiluka mine things are run much the same, they have retention ponds to keep runoff from flowing into the water supply. This above shows that there is a great danger to the native wildlife in the park but also that there is a severe risk of contaminating the water supply, which has left the residents fearful of contamination.
Another activity that has been bought on by the mines construction is the increase in human traffic around the area. This has led to the cutting down of trees to make more roads and improve the one's already there to accommodate for the traffic in and out of...