Why does the Australian government allow uranium mining in Kakadu?
The benefits to Australia of uranium mining in Kakadu are mainly economic. Australia possesses 24% of the world’s uranium deposits, and the potential to export this uranium would benefit the Australian economy.
Can you visit Ranger uranium mine?
Ranger Uranium Mine ceased operations in early 2021. The future of Jabiru is now firmly focused on tourism.
Why did the Ranger uranium mine close?
Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) will halt processing activities at the Ranger mine in the Northern Territory today after four decades of operation. The move is warranted by the commonwealth and state governments after ERA failed to receive the permission of native title holders to continue mining.
How many mines are there in Kakadu?
three
Description: There are three operating uranium mines in Australia -Ranger in Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory; Olympic Dam in South Australia; and Beverley with Four Mile in South Australia.
Why is mining such a problem at Kakadu?
Problems with the Mine Closure Plan These include significant data deficiencies regarding management of mine tailings (mine residue), land stability, and modelling of toxic contaminants likely to flow off site into Kakadu National Park.
What risks does uranium mining pose in the Kakadu region?
destruction of traditional life. Alcohol consumption in the region is very high and poses a major threat to the health and well being of Aboriginal people in the Region.
Who owns the Ranger uranium mine?
Energy Resources Australia (ERA)
Ranger. Ranger, owned by Energy Resources Australia (ERA), a subsidiary of North Broken Hill, is now the only operating uranium mine in the Northern Territory. The Ranger mine lease is approximately 260 kilometres from Darwin. It lies within the Kakadu National Park and World Heritage Area, but is excised from them.
Is Ranger uranium mine still operating?
The orebody was discovered in late 1969, and the mine commenced operation in 1980, reaching full production of uranium oxide in 1981 and ceased stockpile processing on 8 January 2021. Mining activities had ceased in 2012.
Who owns Jabiluka mine?
Rio Tinto group
Jabiluka mine The Jabiluka mineral lease, 230 km east of Darwin and covering 73 km2, is owned by Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA), a Rio Tinto group company. It adjoins the northern boundary of the Ranger Mineral Lease.
What is the impact of uranium mining?
Uranium mining has widespread effects, contaminating the environment with radioactive dust, radon gas, water-borne toxins, and increased levels of background radiation. Uranium mining is the first step in the generation of both nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
How does mining for uranium affect the environment?
Regardless of how uranium is removed from rock, the extraction process creates radioactive wastes. If not managed properly, mining waste and mill tailings can contaminate the environment.
Does Australia still mine uranium?
Two uranium mines operate today in Australia, Ranger in the Northern Territory and Olympic Dam in South Australia. All uranium produced is exported for nuclear power generation.
When did Ranger uranium mine close?
2021
The orebody was discovered in late 1969, and the mine commenced operation in 1980, reaching full production of uranium oxide in 1981 and ceased stockpile processing on 8 January 2021. Mining activities had ceased in 2012….Ranger Uranium Mine.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Discovered | 1969 |
| Opened | 1980 |
| Closed | 2021 |
| Owner |
What was the Jabiluka mine controversy?
In 1998 the issue came to a head when Jacqui Katona and Yvonne Margarula, of the Mirarr people, called on activists to come from around Australia and the world to blockade the construction of the mine by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA). Over 500 people were arrested in the course of the eight-month blockade.
Where is uranium found in Australia?
The giant Olympic Dam mine in South Australia is the world’s largest uranium deposit. Uranium is also found at Beverley and Honeymoon in South Australia, in the Ranger and Jabiluka deposits of the Northern Territory, and at Yeelirrie in Western Australia.
Where is the biggest uranium mine?
McArthur River mine located about 620km north of Saskatoon, Canada, is currently the world’s largest uranium producing mine. It produced 7,520 tonnes of uranium in 2012, accounting for 13% of the world’s total uranium production.
Where is most uranium mined?
In 2020 Kazakhstan produced the largest share of uranium from mines (41% of world supply), followed by Australia (13%) and Canada (8%). Uzbekistan (est.)
What is bad about uranium mining?
2.1 The impacts of uranium mining are very broad. There are impacts resulting from the end-use of uranium in energy and weapons production involving risks of radioactive leaks, emissions, melt downs, and nuclear detonations at great risk to the environment and public health.
Can uranium be found in Kakadu?
Kakadu has two other rich uranium deposits yet to be developed – Jabiluka and Koongarra. Ranger was developed against the wishes of local traditional owners – the Mirrar people. Senior Traditional Owner Toby Gangale, opposed plans for uranium exploration and mining on his country in the 1970s.
What are the challenges facing Kakadu’s Ranger Uranium Mine?
That’s the challenge faced by the controversial Ranger uranium mine inside Kakadu National Park. But our new research report found the document guiding its rehabilitation is deficient, and urgent changes are needed for the heavily impacted mine site to be cleaned up well.
Are there any mines in Kakadu National Park?
Currently there is one operating mine within the boundaries of Kakadu National Park. The mining companies are proposing two other mines at Koongarra and Jabiluka. Both these mines pose more serious ramifications for Kakadu than the current mine. Koongarra is in the catchment of the South Alligator River.
Is the Koongarra mine a threat to Kakadu?
The Koongarra mine is also very close to Nourlangie Rock, which is one of the major visitor attractions of Kakadu. The Jabiluka mine poses a more serious threat to the local environment for a number of reasons.