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The release of a report titled Marathon Resources: Learning from Waste in the Wilderness, followed exploration incidents that led to a government suspension of its drilling campaign at Mt Gee.
Marathon’s chairman, Peter Williams, told InvestorTV that the company had conducted a “top to bottom” review of its environmental management to ensure best practice at one of Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
“The problem arose because of some unauthorised samples of drill cuttings being buried in plastic bags in Mt Gee. That was unacceptable behaviour and we’ve adopted new policies to make sure it doesn’t reoccur,” Mr Williams said.
“We’ve suffered from a reputational problem as a result of this but we’re dealing with the issue properly. We’ve spent a lot of money trying to rectify this issue but we will make sure it’s done totally and comprehensively and to the satisfaction of government and all stakeholders.”
The chairman said Marathon was implementing an Environmental Management System to meet compliance requirements at the site and addressing all issues, including safety, community, environment, sustainability and stakeholder relations.
“We believe it’s possible to mine in such a sensitive and unique environment, and to coexist with the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and all others with an interest in the area,” he said.
“I’m very confident we’ll be able to deliver a process that can be satisfactory for all the parties. It’s going to take a lot of time, communication and effort to deliver it, but it can be done.
“There are other issues like water and the indigenous community; we’re sensitive to all of those and the processes that we now have in place can deliver the outcome that we’ve all been looking for.”
The South Australian Government announced on August 11 its approval for Marathon’s Rectification Plan following its suspension of the company’s drilling program in February.
Mr Williams said Marathon was committed to gaining a social license to operate at Mt Gee, which is estimated to have over 30,000 tonnes of contained uranium oxide.
Marathon’s chairman, Peter Williams, told InvestorTV that the company had conducted a “top to bottom” review of its environmental management to ensure best practice at one of Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits.
“The problem arose because of some unauthorised samples of drill cuttings being buried in plastic bags in Mt Gee. That was unacceptable behaviour and we’ve adopted new policies to make sure it doesn’t reoccur,” Mr Williams said.
“We’ve suffered from a reputational problem as a result of this but we’re dealing with the issue properly. We’ve spent a lot of money trying to rectify this issue but we will make sure it’s done totally and comprehensively and to the satisfaction of government and all stakeholders.”
The chairman said Marathon was implementing an Environmental Management System to meet compliance requirements at the site and addressing all issues, including safety, community, environment, sustainability and stakeholder relations.
“We believe it’s possible to mine in such a sensitive and unique environment, and to coexist with the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and all others with an interest in the area,” he said.
“I’m very confident we’ll be able to deliver a process that can be satisfactory for all the parties. It’s going to take a lot of time, communication and effort to deliver it, but it can be done.
“There are other issues like water and the indigenous community; we’re sensitive to all of those and the processes that we now have in place can deliver the outcome that we’ve all been looking for.”
The South Australian Government announced on August 11 its approval for Marathon’s Rectification Plan following its suspension of the company’s drilling program in February.
Mr Williams said Marathon was committed to gaining a social license to operate at Mt Gee, which is estimated to have over 30,000 tonnes of contained uranium oxide.
