Mining proposal in Nauru considered
from ABC News Australia

An Australian engineering company is expected to begin a study into whether it would be worthwhile to mine any phosphate left behind on Nauru. The study into what is known as secondary mining has been in the planning stages for years. The former engineer in charge of the rehabilitation of Nauru, Leon Surawski, resigned in frustration late last year when he could not get his plans for various studies and projects implemented. The new chairman of the Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation, Ali Amwano, says Mr Surawski wanted the corporation to do the study into the feasibility of mining the residual phosphate itself. He says the new board will get an Australian engineering company to do the work. According to the tender, he says they will have an answer within five weeks of starting the study.

It seems unsavory enough that the Australian government has thrown a bunch of refugees they didn't want into Nauru's lap, but to also have the Aussie private sector look into how to squeeze the last drop of phosphate out of the island at this juncture seems to be poorly timed at best. So what is Nauru planning to do after the refugee crisis brings down the Howard government and the Afghan refugees are taken away and the phosphate is all gone? Do you pin this on the Australians for exploiting one of their neighbors, or on the Nauruans for blowing all the money they made on jumbo jets, failed Broadway musicals and not planning for the inevitable?

posted by santo26 | 12:37 PM