I guess there's some concerns, and lawsuits, (Florida) about housing developments being built on old phosphate mining areas that haven't been properly remediated. Now, according to the articles I've read on this they seem to be primarily concerned by actual gamma ray radiation and not something like radon gas.
Is this just a case of poor reporting or is radiating particles the actual concern here?
If so, is there a way to test the soil for sources of emission? I assume a radon test wouldn't work since the danger with radon is more of an accumulation inside a house rather than just off gassing. I can get a geiger counter pretty cheap for a day but I'm also concerned about development activities uncovering or disturbing additional areas that may have been safely buried.
After confirmation of over 99 million tons of phosphate is located underneath the islands of Tuvalu, the Tuvaluan government is starting preparations for large scale mining of the minerals. The government would start by building a artificial atoll that is somewhat similar to the original island, and make it more elevated. This would not only make the main islands suitable for phosphate mining, it would also increase elevation, allowing Tuvalu and its residents to live in peace with no risk of losing their homes to the rising sea levels which is projected to completely drown the main island within 9 years. Secondly, a large section will be dug out from the Atoll, allowing mining equipment to be brought into the lagoon of which the mining will be held in place, alongside other necessary cranes and lifts needed to load the mines phosphate onto ships.
These plans will be carried out and funded by the Japanese company under a LTD sponsored by the Tuvaluan government, and estimated to be completed by the next 2 months or so.
It is projected that the mines could harvest over 50,000 tons of phosphate per day which roughly translates to around 30,000,000$ per day.
U/wrenneru
Tuvalu is home to 5 atolls. In the previous post, we have already addressed the fact that the population will be relocated to the western 2 atolls, mainly Nukufetau atoll. The eastern 3 atolls will be reserved for mines.
After a meeting, the government had decided that it will open an extra 2 mines on the other 2 atolls to yield in extra phosphate that could potentially bring up the phosphate mining to up to 5000 tons per day.
The extra planned 2 mines will cost an extra 150 million added on to the 500 million initial funds from Japanese LTDs.
In that aspect, we request Japan for an extra 150 million for the 2 extra mines planned. u/wrenneru
The project will take over 2 years to complete
The first order is to keep the environment of Tuvalu as much as possible. Large scale mining of phosphate will undoubtedly destroy the environment. To make the best out of this situation, the Tuvaluan government has finish construct of an artificial atoll island similar to the original island(an attempted replica), 20 miles north of the original island. The airstrip on the artificial island is still under construction and temporary tents are built for the residents before more permanent households can be built along with planing trees and paving roads. The Sakura tree gifted by the Japanese government to a Tuvalu will be placed in the center of the island along with a plaque to thank the Japanese government and the companies for investment into Tuvalu to make this possible.
The artificial atoll is also elevates 2 meters higher above the original island, which would stand without being completed covered under ocean water unlike the original island, which is likely to disappear in the next 9 years.
The atoll is being dug out at an entrance to transport in heavy mining equipment that will be placed in the lagoon. Cranes and being setted up as well.
In order to not destroy the coral reef, the government has acquired scrapped and unused tanks and APCs from countries like Russia and Ukraine to throw into oceans to create artificial reefs in an attempt to keep the natural coral reef environment thriving which will be under heavy pollution from the mines.
Mining will start in a few months under a government owned LTD with shares held by the Japanese government as well as private Japanese companies. The mining and the operations behind it could not have been done without the help of the companies and the government of Japan, the prime minister expresses his thanks greatly.
I have been reading about Nauru island this morning and I find it sad that the phosphate harvesting has caused the center of the island to become barren after watching this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eec0OLOvVMU
If you had to engineer a way to replace the top soil how would you do it? Would it be possible to do it by scooping material from the bottom of the sea or would the topsoil had to be brought in from somewhere elsewhere with ships?
Would there be any way to automate the process, possibly by self driving robotic trucks / excavators.
How much would your plan cost about?
We take a look at some key Senate races that could decide the balance of power in Washington. Also: The race for attorney general in Michigan, how the Saudi royal family is handling the fallout from the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, economics versus the environment in a mining debate in Florida, when heavy labor results in a miscarriage, and author Nate Blakeslee. Judy Woodruff anchors.
Watch today's segments:
- News Wrap: Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter indicted
- National issues dominate these three critical Senate races
- Why this tight Mich. race for attorney general matters
- Inside the Saudi kingdom, under global pressure
- Battle over phosphate mining roils small Fla. town
- When workplace conditions put women's pregnancies at risk
- "American Wolf" author Nate Blakeslee answers your questions
Watch the whole show on YouTube.
