Tiny blind animal halts billion dollar Aussie mine
Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:53AM EDT
By Michael Perry
SYDNEY (Reuters) - A blind spider-like animal has stopped development of a multi-billion-dollar iron ore mine in Australia after an environmental body rejected the project for fear the tiny cave-dweller would become extinct.
Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) rejected the proposal by Robe River, a unit of mining giant Rio Tinto, to develop the iron ore mine near Pannawonica in the Pilbara region after the company unearthed troglobites, which measure just 4 millimeters (0.16 in) in length.
A troglobite is an animal that lives entirely in the dark parts of caves. It has adapted to life in total darkness and may have no eyes or pigmentation, using feelers to explore its way through the dark.
Troglobites are unable to live outside their pitch-dark world because they would die from ultraviolet light. Even short exposures to sunlight can be fatal.
"Extensive research and sampling conducted by the proponent has identified a number of new species of troglobitic fauna," EPA chairman Wally Cox said on Thursday.
An EPA report into the project found 11 species of troglobites in the area and said mining would extinguish at least five of them.
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