the phosphate
pp. 20-21 · Read in the full issue
Nauru ... after the phosphate
AFTER nearly a century of mining; phosphate will cease to be the source of wealth for 10,000 Nauruans.
Such has been the impact of mining in Nauru since 1907, that primary sources of phosphate will be depleted by the year 1995. Only one-fifth of its land area of 21 square km will be left for a rising population to occupy.
The Nauru government has taken Australia to the international Court oc Justice in The Hague claiming compem sation for rehabiliation of the land from which it reaped millions. Its claim against Australia is that as administraton of the island from 1920-68, it should pay for damage caused by mining during those years. Australia has an obligation to rehabilitate that part of the island one-third of the topside mined oui before July, 1967, it claims in a report) The Nauru government’s argument ii based on recommendations of an hides pendent commission of inquiry, whicH: says that the former overseas partner! governments engaged in phosphate minr ing on the island are responsible foe reparation. In 1967, Nauru became independent and Australia says it was n*i longer responsible for rehabilitation, d
Over-mining: the result is a bald platea