ERA has formally applied to extend a mining lease in the Kakadu region only one day after it was slammed by traditional owners.
Already a subscriber?Former uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia has applied for another 10 years at the controversial Jabiluka uranium project in the Northern Territory, only one day after the traditional owners slammed the mooted mineral lease extension.
The existing lease gives the Mirarr the right to veto mining at Jabiluka, which is one of the richest known uranium deposits in the world. ERA has never mined Jabiluka, which is surrounded by the Kakadu National Park, and the Mirarr have held their veto right since 2005. The lease is due to end in August.
The Mirarr are vehemently opposed to any uranium mining at Jabiluka or any extension of the minerals lease. They are in Canberra meeting government officials this week, and argue ERA should focus solely on rehabilitating the nearby Ranger uranium mine, which closed in 2021.“ERA has a very big problem at Ranger, and this application isn’t helping with that,” Mirarr traditional owner Corben Mudjandi said on Wednesday night.
A Rio spokesperson said: “We stand by and acknowledge the Mirarr people’s consistent opposition to developing Jabiluka. As such, we support their aim to work with stakeholders, such as the Northern Territory and federal governments and ERA, to ensure Jabiluka’s continued protection.”
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Jabiluka uranium mine lease sparks tension with Kakadu’s traditional ownersA uranium miner backed by Rio Tinto has applied for a 10-year extension to its mining lease over the famous Jabiluka deposit.
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Jabiluka uranium mine lease sparks tension with Kakadu’s traditional ownersA uranium miner backed by Rio Tinto has applied for a 10-year extension to its mining lease over the famous Jabiluka deposit.
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