Tarkine mining

[corvus]

a nice but not unique Tasmanian area.....

All credibility gone Corvus.
The Australian Heritage Commission describes the area as "archaeologically the most significant site in Australia". Not unique? Educate yourself! For the last 6000 years this area was a veritable food bowl with constant habitation. The density of significant sites is higher than any other place in Australia. Not unique???

Phil's observation is spot on IMHO

G'day sbs,
Crediblity of whom ? yours is somewhat suspect I think
Been there and it is no more "unique " than so many other Tasmanian walk locations

[stepbystep]

a nice but not unique Tasmanian area.....

All credibility gone Corvus.
The Australian Heritage Commission describes the area as "archaeologically the most significant site in Australia". Not unique? Educate yourself! For the last 6000 years this area was a veritable food bowl with constant habitation. The density of significant sites is higher than any other place in Australia. Not unique???

Phil's observation is spot on IMHO

G'day sbs,
Crediblity of whom ? yours is somewhat suspect I think
Been there and it is no more "unique " than so many other Tasmanian walk locations

Oh well, can but lead a horse to water...

[photohiker]

On the contrary photohiker I believe that we all have opinions to offer it is just my opinion that many critics of mining/forestry being done in Tasmania seem to be in well paid secure jobs in States other than Tasmania.

Not to be a critic but not having a job means what? you having been to been the so called "Tarkine" multiple times recently must have cost plenty ? even prior to retirement I doubt if I could have warranted multiple trips from interstate to a nice but not unique Tasmanian area however to each their own eh!!
If you like this area so much I suggest you put your hand for a job in the new Mine and kill two birds with one stone
corvus

Not to be a critic? I think I'll let that one go to the keeper, along with the corvus investigation into photohiker's situation and finances thank you very much.

Back when we had real dustmen I met one who had a pristine Rolls Royce. It was worth years of his annual salary and he did buy it. If you set your eyes on a goal, achieving it has more to do with your will than your means. One of my goals since age 49 has been to regain physical fitness and to use it to walk in unique, beautiful and remote areas. Frankly, I could smoke, spend time at the pub playing the pokies or have a boat etc any of which would have cost way more than what I have spent on that goal.

Why you suggest I should take a job in a mine that will wreck a beautiful part of Tasmania is incomprehensible to me. Perhaps you are just trolling, so I should just let that roll on by.

[taswegian]

Mining exploration expertise has ramped up somewhat in recent times.
Bit like fishing. Poor blighters are found before the fish themselves know where they are.
So too with mining. The technology available will see a far more accurate assessment of what lies under the ground.
Then field sampling will fine tune those areas of interest.
Interestingly changes in what is acceptable to use in industry, building etc will result in dilemmas for currently valuable minerals (eg lead) that associate with other valuable minerals that can be used.
Not sure what that will mean. But one can only speculate the makeup of waste dumps in the future.
This is not new as many old dump sites are being reworked.
Will those tailings be the next environmental issue.? And so the merry go round turns again.

Back to the word Development. Here in Tasmania any development that needs approval requires justification on economic, social and environmental grounds.
If it doesn't stack up socially and environmentally then it's not on.
That is one reason many struggle to get something across the line.
Mining has its own special needs and set of issues.
I have been involved in a limited way with mine (gravel) developments and it's not straight sailing.

The real problem I see is if something goes pear shape then the consequences can impact us for years, decades.

Spot developments will no doubt spring up across that area as increased exploration makes for further investigation. This then further fragments the area and limits its remoteness even more.

Personally I hold little hope for the area in terms of its immediate future. That is not a defeatist thought but a practical one based on the sentiment of leaders in communities and governments.

Sadly I'd suggest the redneck greenie and the redneck offroaders have both helped to fuel the arguments that have been sterile and and bankrupt in their outcomes.
The hostilities have not helped the Tarkines cause. Perhaps exacerbated it.


I have lived and loved that place, flown over it, walked and swam in its rivers and camped on its plains.
I hope others can appreciate what a precious place it is and despite my stated fate above prove me wrong.

SBS I'd love to see some of your videos. What are they for, where are they available and how?
Regards
Richad

[stepbystep]

I have lived and loved that place, flown over it, walked and swam in its rivers and camped on its plains.
I hope others can appreciate what a precious place it is and despite my stated fate above prove me wrong.

SBS I'd love to see some of your videos. What are they for, where are they available and how?
Regards
Richad

Hi Richard,

One of the videos is about people like you!
Many people have a strong attachment to this area and are passionate about what happens there. So I have interviewed many stakeholders and filmed many of the moods of the coast. We are very much concentrated on the coastal strip. My last shoot will begin this weekend and editing will be finished by the end of March. There are a couple of different videos aimed at different markets and user groups but they are all designed to educate and inform people of the significance of the Arthur-Pieman and why it means so much to so many.

When they are finished I'll post links.

[farefam]

Regarding the magnesite mining proposal. BHR (Beacon Hill Resources) may well have recently taken over the lease for this long mooted project; however BHR is what is known in the share market as a speculative mining stock (current last trade 14c per with a pitiful turnover of 4000 shares today). The quoted feasibilty study (2012) is for an NPV of $42m over some 17 years. Sounds impressive to the uninformed, but in reality, with figures like that (even if they are genuine and have not been inflated with unrealistic assumptions) there is little prospect that they could raise the finance to get such a marginal return project off the ground. The significant drop in the companie's market value since listing suggests that the broader market agrees. I might also add that the company's main focus currently is actually a small coal project in Mozambique. Generally speaking, small mining/exploration companies do talk up things a lot in a bid to raise investor interest. Sometimes this is because they are genuine explorers, a small number of whom will make a good find; in other cases they are more interested in fleecing investors in the share market with capital raisings to sustain their own fat salaries. This is known in the business as "mining the share market".

I'll maintain my view (based on over 20 years in the industry) that there is little prospect of this project proceeding in the forseeable future. I could of course be wrong in the future; but I've been waiting to be wrong on this particular proposal for over 15 years so far.

I'd also reiterate my personal view that the Arthur Pieman coastline and hinterland, the Norfolk Range, Donaldson River catchment and perhaps the Meredith Range should be excluded from mining activities. People like Peter Sims should be applauded for their long-term efforts in trying to get a good conservation outcome for this area. My conservation involvement whilst living in the West Coast was as part of the Regional Forest Agreement submissions. The RFA process was flawed, but it did yield a patchwork of new reserves, which while not an ideal outcome, it was still better than what the status quo had been to that point. Sometimes good outcomes come in one big step, sometimes it takes baby steps. A few weeks of my time and a visit to Hobart helped in some way to achieve something positive.

A little off topic but one other outcome (with the aid of the editor of the local Western Herald newspaper) was the adopt a highway initiative on the West Coast. This came about because people were wondering who the mystery person was who had taken the time to clean up the large amount of rubbish cluttering the highway across Mt Black. I did the intial cleanup on my own on my weekends off (often in pouring rain) because I was so disgusted that one of the most scenic drives on the West Coast had been made by litterers to look like a rubbish tip. Once this was publicised in the paper the local Rosebery Lions group took it on on an ongoing basis and extended it to other areas (Quuenstown, Strahan and Tullah). Positive conservation outcomes (no matter how small) can be achieved if you just take that first step. Otherwise consider financially supporting the Wilderness Society or whatever cause takes your fancy, or consider donating your time to friends of the National Parks or Landcare or some of the other volunteer groups who do such great work. The personal emotional rewards are great.

[Hallu]

Yeah it looks like the policy in Australia regarding mining is "let's not make it a National Park just in case prices for particular minerals go up in the next few years" with an emphasis on "in case". You never know what future invention suddenly is going to make prices sky rocket for a particular element (the modern example of that being rare earth minerals that China happily exploits and exports)... In the meantime areas that could very well acquire World Heritage status stay idle and this prevents any real prospect of income for the local tourism industry (the Tarkine, Cape York, the Kimberley, etc...).

[corvus]

On the contrary photohiker I believe that we all have opinions to offer it is just my opinion that many critics of mining/forestry being done in Tasmania seem to be in well paid secure jobs in States other than Tasmania.

Not to be a critic but not having a job means what? you having been to been the so called "Tarkine" multiple times recently must have cost plenty ? even prior to retirement I doubt if I could have warranted multiple trips from interstate to a nice but not unique Tasmanian area however to each their own eh!!
If you like this area so much I suggest you put your hand for a job in the new Mine and kill two birds with one stone
corvus

Not to be a critic? I think I'll let that one go to the keeper, along with the corvus investigation into photohiker's situation and finances thank you very much.

Back when we had real dustmen I met one who had a pristine Rolls Royce. It was worth years of his annual salary and he did buy it. If you set your eyes on a goal, achieving it has more to do with your will than your means. One of my goals since age 49 has been to regain physical fitness and to use it to walk in unique, beautiful and remote areas. Frankly, I could smoke, spend time at the pub playing the pokies or have a boat etc any of which would have cost way more than what I have spent on that goal.

Why you suggest I should take a job in a mine that will wreck a beautiful part of Tasmania is incomprehensible to me. Perhaps you are just trolling, so I should just let that roll on by.

Nice fairy tale about the "dustman" so I suspect you may not native be born because for the last 45 years that I have lived here they were known as "garbos"to me
I agree that you probably have spent your money wisely and well done a very big chunk of mine went on Uni fees for my two children the rest went on paying off the Mortgage and setting me up for retirement without expensive tips any where
From your previous posts I thought you liked repartee and the push and shove now you resort to the troll accusation! have you run out of steam or what
corvus

[north-north-west]

Been there and it is no more "unique " than so many other Tasmanian walk locations

And just how many other Tasmanian walk locations have that sort of density of archaeological sites of that age?

[corvus]

Been there and it is no more "unique " than so many other Tasmanian walk locations

And just how many other Tasmanian walk locations have that sort of density of

Try Rocky Cape ,Mersey Bluff, and what do you mean with density of archaeological sites of that age? there are Middens elsewhere I have visited in the NE.
corvus

[wayno]

it echoes whats happened in NZ,
management for DOC and the ministers for the environment under the national govt are just muppets for the govt. pushing big business interests in the parks more and more . environment concerns second, the national park management plans are a joke, DOC issue concessions to get round the management plans like they are a regular requirement for running any park.... the minister ignores recommendations by the conservation boards if they would restrict commercial development....
calling them the minister FOR the environment is pure hypocricy, it should be the minister for commercial development of the environment, I hope the locals give them heaps and vote them out of office....

[wayno]

hallu mentions the misnomer of the "huge unemployment rate"
if you want huge unemployment lok at spain,,,, 26.6% unemployment
so who has an unemployment problem now... the govt are clearly pro mining, and see the land as a resource to be exploited... using spurious logic as a rational for their decisions...

https://www.google.com.au/publicdata/ex ... te%20spain

[wayno]

as dick smith says, more could be done to promote tourism in tasmania as a way to get more jobs and generate money instead of mining places like the tarkine

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/20 ... -news.html

[north-north-west]

... and what do you mean with density of archaeological sites of that age? there are Middens elsewhere I have visited in the NE.

'Density' refers to the number within a given area. There are more in the Tarkine per square km, than anywhere else.

[photohiker]

Nice fairy tale about the "dustman" so I suspect you may not native be born because for the last 45 years that I have lived here they were known as "garbos"to me
I agree that you probably have spent your money wisely and well done a very big chunk of mine went on Uni fees for my two children the rest went on paying off the Mortgage and setting me up for retirement without expensive tips any where
From your previous posts I thought you liked repartee and the push and shove now you resort to the troll accusation! have you run out of steam or what
corvus

Dustman story is true, I was born in country Vic and I've been here a lot longer than you. I guess parts of Victoria are out of line with your preferred nomenclature (who cares?) Why am I being asked to justify everything except my opinion of the topic at hand?

I never said anything about expensive trips corvus. I've not run out of steam, but a sure sign that someone has is when they resort to playing the man instead of playing the ball. How about we stick to the topic instead of chasing people down on the basis of their location, employment, country of origin, personal situation and irrelevant innuendo about what they spend on bushwalking?

Agree with NNW. I've walked the coast, I've seen the middens (lots!) and I've seen the damage already done to them. At least there is a chance the coast will get some protection now.

[corvus]

Dustman story is true, I was born in country Vic and I've been here a lot longer than you. I guess parts of Victoria are out of line with your preferred nomenclature (who cares?) Why am I being asked to justify everything except my opinion of the topic at hand?

I never said anything about expensive trips corvus. I've not run out of steam, but a sure sign that someone has is when they resort to playing the man instead of playing the ball. How about we stick to the topic instead of chasing people down on the basis of their location, employment, country of origin, personal situation and irrelevant innuendo about what they spend on bushwalking?

Agree with NNW. I've walked the coast, I've seen the middens (lots!) and I've seen the damage already done to them. At least there is a chance the coast will get some protection now.

Sorry I did not realise that "dustbins" were still an active word or even "dustbin men" and I will never run out of steam

Any trip across the Strait is expensive I believe and good luck to you if it is affordable (we need the tourist dollars so keep coming) as a retiree I most certainly could not do multiple trips like you have.

The Middens are no where near the proposed Mine (more likely to be damaged be 4wd or Walkers) and I believe they are in the the now protected zone.

Michael you have been a critic of others on this forum so chin up and bear it man it is not life and death and when all said and done just a bit of fun,sorry if I have offended you but post on an open forum especially on an emotive topic like this one you can expect some heat in the reply's (really could not care less about your personal circumstances) but it did get a response
corvus

[Hallu]

Retiree or not your provocations are unmistakably ones of a child...

[corvus]

Retiree or not your provocations are unmistakably ones of a child...

Son no provocation intenended or meant if it comes across as childish so be it you have many years to catch up on me
corvus

[photohiker]

How about we stick to the topic instead of chasing people down on the basis of their location, employment, country of origin, personal situation and irrelevant innuendo about what they spend on bushwalking?

Lets stick to the topic corvus.

[corvus]

No worries so why are you opposed to this mine photohiker being as you do not live here !!
corvus

[photohiker]

as you do not live here !!
corvus

I've already expressed my opinion on the mine.

Suggest you plan a trip over there and find out for yourself. Would be a cheap trip for you being local.

[Nuts]

National Day of Action: https://www.facebook.com/events/4906932 ... 4ff381fae9
for those interested.

Some of you guys want a private forum? Let's not discourage those who might add fact to the topic eh

[Nuts]

as dick smith says, more could be done to promote tourism in tasmania as a way to get more jobs and generate money instead of mining places like the tarkine

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/20 ... -news.html

That article doesn't mention the Tarkine

[wayno]

true, he does say more money should be put into mining,
the tarkine comment is mine

[stepbystep]

A nice example of what Tony's heritage decision represents...great to see him taking expert advise hey..??

[Hallu]

Besides, is the coast really gonna be protected ? There are still small towns on the coast, like Couta Rocks, Nelson Bay etc... , they're not gonna expel those people... So I'm wondering what this "heritage listing" on this coastal area is actually going to provide ? Is it gonna be a long narrow NP ? A reserve ? Is hunting/fishing/mining/logging gonna be banned in this strip of land ?

[wayno]

yes well just wait for the mining industry to ask for exemptions to the coastal areas so they can get access to the land behind.... hey while they are at it why not throw in another port like Burnie round there to make it easier to strip mine the land....
they can mine wherever they want upriver from the coast so what will the toxic leaching be like from the mines down to the coast? how will you keep the coast pristine? what will they do with the mine tailings? put them in dams and hope they don't burst? if you don't protect an entire watershed, then its all academic as to whether anything will remain protected in the long run....

[Nuts]

Lol, you two have all the questions!


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nationa ... 6575707924

[Hallu]

You have to pay to access this webpage Nuts.

[doogs]

A couple of months ago I was talking to a friend who builds/fixes railway lines in Tasmania, he has apparently been working over there putting in new lines for a little while now for the new mines. I guess the deal was done months ago and Burko has decided that shortly after an election was called was a good time to broadcast the "new jobs" being created for Tasmanians..