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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
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Political minefield
By Katherine Kokkonen
C
ommunity groups voiced their concerns about possible mining over Mt Mulligan with the overarching question being: are the economic benefits worth more than cultural heritage? The information day, held last Wednesday, was attended by approximately 100 people with guest speakers from indigenous groups and The Lock the Gate Alliance.
Talk revolved around Mt Mulligan, the location of Mantle Mining’s coal exploration, and the possible negative effects on the environment and sacred sites. A subsidiary of Mantle Mining Corp Ltd, Trafford Coal Pty Ltd, is the holder of an Exploration Permit for Coal (EPC), which gives them exclusive rights to explore for specific minerals, but the company would have to apply for a separate permit to mine. Lock the Gate Alliance President
Drew Hutton said the meeting at the Racecourse was more than an information day and was a chance “to lay the basis for a campaign”. “In this particular case, it is cultural heritage that is the key issue. This is one of the most sacred sites in Queensland, it’s like mining Uluru. Why would you do that?” Mr Hutton said he had not corresponded with Mantle Mining because he wanted to talk to the people and find out about their concerns before
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talking to the miners. “There would seem to be an enormous amount of concern in the area, especially amongst the aboriginal people,” he said. “I want to hear about that and I think that is the basis of starting an organisation here.” Mr Hutton said he has seen what gas fields looked like and described them as “hell on Earth”. CONTINUED P3
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