Secret Mining Business

This is one of those secret places for aboriginal ceremonies that took place over many centuries.

After some soul searching I’ve decided that I shouldn’t name it or give a clue to its location, other than to say it’s on the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the northern Flinders Ranges.

It’s extremely hard to find. So hard in fact that you can be but a few yards away and still miss it.

These shots are two of a number I took there early this year when there was still water in holes and rock pools along the creeks.

I took almost six months to find it again after not visiting it for many years.

The tragic thing is that it is in an area where the State Government, advised by the Department of Environment and Heritage has decreed that mining is OK. This means that this site is in danger of being damaged or destroyed.

Trying to avoid it becoming an election issue, and despite all the political fanfare and spin the State Government clearly hasn’t done its homework because there are a couple of other places of similar significance that are in the proposed mining zone too.

The Liberal Opposition can’t take any joy from this either. They have been decidedly silent.

I’m even told some MPs from the Opposition ranks, including the local member for the area are pretty keen to allow it to be mined.