Rivers and Gold.

The minister for the environment Tanya Plibersek, deserves applause for her decision to protect the headwters of the Belubula River near Bathurst. Although it should go further! The application by Regis Resources to establish a gold mine in this area was strongly opposed by most of the land owners affected, including the local Wiradjuri people. But our politicians of the two-party system, ensured the project would eventually be given approval. Their reasons are as always, in support of the vested interests of the Mining sector.

While traditionally the extractive industries have served the purposes of the nation, we are long past that need. Of all the minerals that have been and are justifiably being extracted, GOLD is no longer justified. The simple motive for gold is greed. The amount of gold being mined each year is 2500 - 3000 tons per year world wide and nearly all of that is converted to bullion ending up in vaults throughout the world. Apart from what is used for Jewellery, a very small amount is allocated to modern technology ie. phones etc. The amount of gold that is used in manufacturing is minute and would be served from stocks in vaults, for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The "Regis " mine would destroy up to 2500 acres of good productive land, to generate approx 8-9 grams of gold

per tonne of rock and earth. Never again to be repatriated for productive use.

In future, applications to mine or extract any minerals or other resources, should be in the first instance,addressed to the department of the environment, prior to consideration as to its need or requirement for the benefit of the nation.

Historically Australia has,under the influence of our politicians of any parties, sold or given away our natural resources for little or no true benefit to the people. They the government, have always been motivated by their own vested interests. A parliament staffed with independent members, selected and voted in by their individual electorates, would always act in the interest of the people.

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