SA: Long drive to water for protesters

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2000
SA: Long drive to water for protesters

ADELAIDE, April 25 AAP - A group of protesters claims it has had water supplies cut
after Western Mining Corporation (WMC) sealed off a bore in South Australia's north.

Since March, about 30 people have been protesting against the company's Olympic Dam
mine at a camp at Lake Eyre South.

Camp member Simon Parker, who was temporarily away from the remote site, said the protesters
were probably having to drive 80km to fetch water after the bore was welded shut.

"Our point is that it's against human rights to deny water to travellers and to deny
water in that way," Mr Parker said.

"There's no water for quite a way around there."

WMC spokesman Richard Yeeles said the company had reinforced a concrete cover over
the bore on its property last Thursday.

"We told them (the protesters) before they established the camp that we wouldn't be
prepared to give them access to any water," Mr Yeeles said.

"These people are trespassing on our property."

AAP vm/was

KEYWORD: PROTESTERS

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.