Locals demand answers over Angela Pamela

Locals demand answers over Angela Pamela
http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2009/03/27/2528374.htm?site=alicesprings&rotator=true

The Minister for Resources, Kon Vatskalis, spent a tense hour at a community meeting discussing the potential exploration at the Angela Pamela uranium deposits south of Alice Springs.

Over one hundred people packed the Andy McNeil room at the Alice Springs Town Council to put questions to the Minister.

A panel grilled the Minister on everything from water use to dust suppression, eventually asking him to revoke the license given to Cameco to explore the site.

The meeting was organised by a number of local organisations concerned about the proposed mine south of town.

Organiser, Emma Chessell, from the Alice Springs Angela Pamela Collective said the meeting was a success.

"It was really good the Minister reiterated his support for a public enquiry at the Federal level."

The Minister was heckled when he admitted to not knowing about the company's operations in Canada.

"I don't know what Cameco does in Canada, that's for Canada to decide," said Minister Kon Vatskalis.

Alice Springs local, Craig, who has lived in town for ten years and has two young children said he was disappointed with the Minister's response to one of his questions.

"I'm not happy with the response, I don't think he answered the question...It's in his power to end this now. He can revoke any licenses given and we wouldn't be here."

Following the meeting, Minister Vatskalis indicated that the mine may not even go ahead.

"There's no guarantee there's going to be a mine, there are a lot of hurdles to jump."