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BE STRONG GO LONGTHE Northern Territory could have its first new...

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    BE STRONG GO LONG


    THE Northern Territory could have its first new uranium mine within five years.

    Federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane predicted there would be "ample" interest in the NT's rich uranium resources after the Federal Government intervened yesterday to declare the Territory "open for business" on uranium, despite the NT Government's fierce opposition.
    Uranium explorers welcomed the Federal Government's move to take control over the future of NT resources, after the Territory Government vowed to ban uranium mining.

    But some confusion remains about who will regulate future mining activity in the NT, which is estimated to have between 20 and 25 per cent of the world's known uranium resources.

    Fourteen mining companies were exploring for uranium in the NT, amid skyrocketing uranium prices and surging global demand, NT Minerals Council chief executive Kezia Purich said.

    Until yesterday, there had been confusion over whether the companies would be allowed to mine any deposits they discovered, Ms Purich said.


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    "This gives the industry a bit of clarity and certainty," she said.
    Compass Resources' deposit at Mt Fitch, near Batchelor, south of Darwin, could become one of the first new uranium mining operations.

    Compass executive director Malcolm Humphreys hosed down speculation the company could be "first cab off the rank", as it was yet to define a uranium resource, but he said a uranium operation was possible within four or five years.

    The company had been drilling for uranium near its proposed base metal operation, with more results expected within a week to confirm the resources' grade and quantity.

    "There's a chance if we can find a commercial development, we hope to bring it into production in a relatively short period of time, possibly within four to five years," Mr Humphreys said.

    The controversial Jabiluka lease in Kakadu National Park is another new mine possibility, but development needs the written consent of the traditional owners, the Mirrar people, who have been staunchly opposed to the mine.

    The multi-million-dollar Koongarra deposit, also in Kakadu, is another contender, although the Federal Government has expressed concern at the proposal.

    Mr Macfarlane expected applications for new mines within three years.

    "Some of those mines will come into operation before the end of the decade," he said.

    However, Mr Macfarlane admitted the Federal Government could do little to intervene in Western Australia, which has a ban on uranium mining despite $6-$7 billion worth of known resources in the state.

    Mr Humphreys said he was surprised by the opposition to uranium mining.

    "I would have thought the general tide had turned of Australian public opinion because of the recognition that nuclear power is probably essential in order to meet energy demand worldwide," he said.

    "I think in general if you strip away a lot of the rhetoric ... and just get down to the facts, the uranium industry is a very safe and clean industry."

    The Northern Land Council (NLC) meanwhile welcomed the Federal Government's statement that new NT mines had to have the support of traditional owners, and had to satisfy environmental standards.

    Traditional owners could earn millions of dollars in royalties from any new mining.

    "The NLC is committed to ensuring that traditional owners are fully informed regarding uranium mining, and to represent their views," council chief executive Norman Fry said.

    Mr Fry also called for full debate over the proposed low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste in the NT.

 
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