The reality of the Ranger environmental assault on Kakadu can be seen by reference to the incidents reported in the Supervising Scientist Annual Reports (1985-1996). These are only some of the environmental breaches reported - the real impacts of the mine may not be known for years:

• 24 Sept. 1985: Due to a tailings line failure, 25,000 litres of radioactive contaminated water is sprayed over a 2,000 square metre area outside the Restricted Release Zone (RRZ)

• 1986: Since commencement of production in 1981, twenty-four occurrences caused regulatory concern, sixteen of which related to failings in the tailings pipeline or tailings dam seepage collector lines.

• March 1987: About 500,000 litres of water inadvertently released via pipeline into the Magella Creek when the flow rate was below the minimum approved level.

• Nov. 1988: 500,000 tonnes of low grade ore was incorrectly placed on the "safe" waste rock dump, possibly for as long as six months, before a fault in detection equipment was noticed.

• 1989-90: Office of the Supervising Scientist finds that the toxicity of water released from Retention Pond 2 (RP2) into the Magella Creek "can have significant toxic effects."

• 24 Aug. 1991: Approximately 1,300,000 litres of water from RP2 is sprayed over the Ranger perimeter road to suppress dust.

• 26 Feb. 1992: During heavy rains water from the high grade ore stockpile containing significant concentrations of uranium escapes from its containment sump and flows into Magella Creek. Increased concentrations of uranium are detected in both creeks.

• 25 Jan. 1993: A blocked drain leads to a release of water into the RRZ during heavy rains.

• 13 April 1994: 60,000 litres of run off water and seepage from a high grade ore stockpile is discharged outside the RRZ following a pipe joint failure.

• 6 Dec. 1995: 12,000 litres of diesel spilled from tanks at the power station and ran into RPM. Although the spill was cleared up the spill was responsible for the death of 40 water birds. The Supervising Scientist regarded this incident as the first example of an unacceptable environmental impact at Ranger since operations began.