South Australian Government Rejects Environmental Controls

The South Australian (SA) Government has rejected calls for tougher environmental controls on mining exploration in the Australian outback.

Three separate investigations are currently taking place into mining company Marathon Resources, after the company was found to be disposing of uranium in soil bags at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the SA Flinders Ranges.

Environmentalists say there is a need to ban mining in environmental sanctuaries such as the one at Arkaroola.

SA Environment Minister Gail Gago told ABC news that the current environmental standards are adequate and "very substantial".

In a statement, Marathon says it is working with the authorities regarding the manner in which it has disposed of exploration materials at its Mount Gee project ? part of the Arkaroola lease area.

"Marathon has commenced an internal investigation into its practices to assess compliance with the Exploration Licence requirements," the company says in a statement.

By staff writer