THREATS
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Less than 5% of the Tarkine is protected as National Park. Nor, despite the recommendations of the Australian Heritage Council, is it listed as National Heritage. The Tarkine's lack of protected status means that this unique and globally significant wilderness area is open to exploitation by the resources industry.
The two main threats to the Tarkine are logging and mining. Logging companies have fought for access to the Tarkine’s eucalypt forests as well as the speciality timbers within its temperate rainforests, such as huon pine, myrtle, and celery top pine. Beneath its lush forests, the Tarkine also holds a wealth of mineral resources, particularly iron ore, tin and tungsten. However, due to its remoteness, difficult terrain, extremely high rainfall and the low grade quality of much of its iron ore, until recently mining interest in the Tarkine has been limited. Share prices in tin and ore were just too low to make potential projects profitable. This changed in 2009-2010 when the prices for iron ore and tin skyrocketed to $US180/tonne and $US35,000/tonne respectively. Suddenly, in a land-use battle that had mostly been between conservationists and the logging industry, mining began to emerge as the greatest threat. And although by this time around 95% of the Tarkine was protected from logging only 5% was protected from mining. |
We are part of a growing movement dedicated to protecting the Tarkine. To find out what other groups are up to CLICK HERE
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Because the Tarkine is not listed as National Heritage, industry proposals cannot be assessed with reference to National Heritage values. Current proposal assessments are restricted to impacts on threatened species and threatened vegetation communities. Exploration activity such as clearing sites for drilling and road construction can proceed without assessment by the Commonwealth as exploration activity is exempt from the 'Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act' (EPBC Act) unless it occurs in a National Heritage Listed area.
As well as the total destruction of wilderness at the mine site, open-cut mining has catastrophic effects on the wider area. Mineral exploration involves stripping vegetation and the removal of topsoil for drill sites, leading to erosion. Chemicals used in drilling can pollute nearby rivers and streams. New roads carve up the landscape, representing a particular threat to the scavenging Tassie Devil, and facilitating the introduction of invasive species. Acid Mine Drainage from waste-rock is a particular worry in the Tarkine due to its high rainfall and the abundance of sulfide minerals in its soil. Water acidification due to Acid Mine Drainage can result in “dead zones” in surrounding rivers.
When TAV began campaigning for the Tarkine in Melbourne in 2013, there were 9 open-cut mines proposed for the Tarkine. Now, due to the relentless work of activist organisations, with Save the Tarkine at the forefront, only one of these mines looks remotely likely to go ahead. These groups have kept the pressure on mining companies Shree Minerals and Venture Minerals by means of a combination of public protest and legal action. Now, the time to mine with a high price on iron ore and tin has passed, as share prices for these companies have plummeted. As of May 2015, Shree Minerals’ share prices have fallen 88% since 2011, and Venture Minerals' shares have dropped 96%.
Unfortunately, since the dissolution of the 'Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement', logging is now once again the greatest threat to the Tarkine, with more forest than ever open to forestry.
Despite the economic mythology that has been built up around proposed mining and logging in the Tarkine, only 1% of Tasmanians are currently employed in native forest logging, and even less in mining. This is compared to 20% of Tasmanians who are employed in tourism and hospitality. The Cradle Coast Authority’s 'Tarkine Tourism Development Strategy' has laid out a plan for 1100 jobs and a $58.2 million visitor spend within the Tarkine. Venture Minerals’ largest mine is forecast to run for 10 years and provide 200 jobs. If well managed, the Tarkine can provide jobs and prosperity to the north-west coast of Tasmania far into the future, not to mention priceless experiences for those who visit it. But who wants to visit a mine site?
As well as the total destruction of wilderness at the mine site, open-cut mining has catastrophic effects on the wider area. Mineral exploration involves stripping vegetation and the removal of topsoil for drill sites, leading to erosion. Chemicals used in drilling can pollute nearby rivers and streams. New roads carve up the landscape, representing a particular threat to the scavenging Tassie Devil, and facilitating the introduction of invasive species. Acid Mine Drainage from waste-rock is a particular worry in the Tarkine due to its high rainfall and the abundance of sulfide minerals in its soil. Water acidification due to Acid Mine Drainage can result in “dead zones” in surrounding rivers.
When TAV began campaigning for the Tarkine in Melbourne in 2013, there were 9 open-cut mines proposed for the Tarkine. Now, due to the relentless work of activist organisations, with Save the Tarkine at the forefront, only one of these mines looks remotely likely to go ahead. These groups have kept the pressure on mining companies Shree Minerals and Venture Minerals by means of a combination of public protest and legal action. Now, the time to mine with a high price on iron ore and tin has passed, as share prices for these companies have plummeted. As of May 2015, Shree Minerals’ share prices have fallen 88% since 2011, and Venture Minerals' shares have dropped 96%.
Unfortunately, since the dissolution of the 'Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement', logging is now once again the greatest threat to the Tarkine, with more forest than ever open to forestry.
Despite the economic mythology that has been built up around proposed mining and logging in the Tarkine, only 1% of Tasmanians are currently employed in native forest logging, and even less in mining. This is compared to 20% of Tasmanians who are employed in tourism and hospitality. The Cradle Coast Authority’s 'Tarkine Tourism Development Strategy' has laid out a plan for 1100 jobs and a $58.2 million visitor spend within the Tarkine. Venture Minerals’ largest mine is forecast to run for 10 years and provide 200 jobs. If well managed, the Tarkine can provide jobs and prosperity to the north-west coast of Tasmania far into the future, not to mention priceless experiences for those who visit it. But who wants to visit a mine site?
photo by Nicole Anderson
header photo by Danny White
