Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 4 April 2011:

With reference to uranium mining in Africa by Australian mining companies:

(1)   Did any departmental officers attend the Indaba mining conference held in Cape Town in February 2011; if so, who attended and with what purpose and outcome.

(2)   What further discussions or correspondence has the department had with representatives of the Australia-Africa Mining Industry Group or mining industry representatives in relation to possible partnerships between Australian mining companies operating in Africa and AusAID.

(3)   What companies, bodies and officers have been involved in this discourse and with what outcomes.

(4)   Can an outline be provided of the process for the sale of the Australian mining company Mantra Resources Limited to the Russian nuclear company ARMZ Uranium Holding Co.

(5)   What role does the department play in any assessment or approval of such a sale.

(6)   Has the department provided any advice to any party or agency, for example, the Foreign Investment Review Board, on this sale.

(7)   (a) What government assessment, due diligence or approval is required in such a case; and (b) what are the mechanisms for realising this.

(8)   Does the department expect or require Australian mining companies operating in Africa to abide by standards comparable to those that apply in Australia and to observe responsible international practice; if so, how is this expectation or requirement given effect.

(9)   What is the department's position on the current situation of the Bannerman Resources Etango Project in Namibia, particularly in relation to the public comment period on the project being completed prior to the public release of the environmental and social impact assessment and the environmental and social management plan (both key environmental assessment documents).