All of us live with natural backgound radiation, especially if we fly often at high altitudes. However it is generally agreed that there is no safe level of radiation. All radiation increases the risk of mutations which may induce cancer. There is no economic way to clean up extensive areas of radioactive contamination.
'Acceptable' doses of radioactivity are established and workers are monitored to see that workers remain within these. The mining and processing of the radioactive ore body exposes workers to radioactive dust which can be filtered if great care is taken. Heavy radioactive radon gas collects in mines and holes and cannot be filtered. Like radioactive dust, when breathed in it can decompose in our lungs, releasing further radioactive elements.
The sale of uranium brings with it huge long term dangers in a world of unstable, fearful and competing regimes.
The income from uranium is a very small proportion of BHPB's revenue.
The nuclear cycle offers a very expensive short term solution to our energy needs, at a savage cost to all our descendents who will be faced with managing and securing the toxic radioactive residues for hundreds of thousands of years.
In 2007 we attempted to place a shareholder resolution onto BHP Billiton's AGM Agenda. In the short time available we achieved 70 requisitions but needed over 100 to succeed. As we talked with shareholders we found a great many are concerned regarding BHPB's move into uranium sales.
The resolution concisely sets out our major concerns.
To see the Resolution, please click here
To return to our list of specific issues, click here.
To return to our home page click here.
last updated 4/12/2007