the damage report - where to for sa's 'mining boom'?
DESCRIPTION
Dan Monceaux, director of the documentary film Cuttlefish Country offers a whirlwind appraisal of the SA mining boom, and some of its associates risks for the marine life of Spencer Gulf. You may be aware of the Kimberley Gas Hub and the Coal Port expansions of Queensland... South Australia has its own plans to join the ranks of mining titans regardless of the environmental cost.TRANSCRIPT
The Damage RePORT:
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. May 2012
Where to for the South Australian mining boom?
Where are we now?
Where are we going?
● More investment, statewide (equivalent $ to ODX)
● Subsidised exploration (PACE program, 2004-14)
● Woomera Protected Area open
● Unconventional Gas
● Offshore oil and gas
● Desal plants, freight corridors & port developments
Paths to market...
Upper Spencer Gulf Ports
Point Lowly
Desalination Plants
Potential 214.5 ML brine output daily
So, what ifsalinity rises?
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. October 2012
Middle Eastern desalination plants in gulf systems caused increased local salinity (40ppt → 50ppt)
Dodge tides may allow brine to pool & create deoxygenated zones
Total egg mortality for Giant Australian Cuttlefish occurs at 50ppt salinity
Salinity sensitivity of other species' early life stages unknown
Increased shipping, so what?
● Gulf at deepest is 26m, narrow channel
● Cape-sized vessels need 20+ m depth
● Propellers mobilise sediment (including metals)
● Increase turbidity
● Increase risk of accident (spill, grounding, collision)
● Increase submarine noise pollution
● Introduction of invasive species
Paths to market...
Lucky Bay
Photo (c) Richard Wylie
Port Spencer
Cumulative impact study?
● 1000 shipping movements predicted annually in USG by 2020 (Draft Marine Park Mgmt Plan)
● Potential 214 million L/day of brine return to USG & 55 to 137 million L/day at Port Spencer
● We recommend a Commonwealth Strategic Assessment of the region & moratorium on Point Lowly developments.
Documentary film coming, early 2013.
Dan Monceaux, Director – Danimations Pty. Ltd. October 2012
Find out more at
http://cuttlefishcountry.com
Dan MonceauxDirector, Cuttlefish Country
ph. 0411 039 [email protected]