Post by Sharon Faulkner on Mar 30, 2007 8:32:02 GMT -5
Tiny blind spider-like animal halts billion-dollar mine development
Environmental body fears the cave-dweller may become extinct.
30/03/2007 (UAE)
Sydney: A blind spider-like animal has stopped development of a multi-billion-dollar iron ore mine in Australia after an environmental body rejected the project for fear the tiny cave-dweller would become extinct.
Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) rejected the proposal by Robe River, a unit of mining giant Rio Tinto, to develop the iron ore mine near Pannawonica in the Pilbara region after the company unearthed troglobites, which measure just 4 millimetres in length.
"Extensive research and sampling conducted by the proponent has identified a number of new species of troglobitic fauna," EPA chairman Wally Cox said yesterday.
An EPA report into the project found 11 species of troglobites in the area and said mining would extinguish at least five of them.
The EPA judged that a proposed mining exclusion zone at the site would be inadequate to protect the tiny animal or aboriginal heritage in the area.
Article
Environmental body fears the cave-dweller may become extinct.
30/03/2007 (UAE)
Sydney: A blind spider-like animal has stopped development of a multi-billion-dollar iron ore mine in Australia after an environmental body rejected the project for fear the tiny cave-dweller would become extinct.
Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) rejected the proposal by Robe River, a unit of mining giant Rio Tinto, to develop the iron ore mine near Pannawonica in the Pilbara region after the company unearthed troglobites, which measure just 4 millimetres in length.
"Extensive research and sampling conducted by the proponent has identified a number of new species of troglobitic fauna," EPA chairman Wally Cox said yesterday.
An EPA report into the project found 11 species of troglobites in the area and said mining would extinguish at least five of them.
The EPA judged that a proposed mining exclusion zone at the site would be inadequate to protect the tiny animal or aboriginal heritage in the area.
Article