NT uranium mine site, Jabiluka, will be turned into national park

A proposed uranium mine in Jabiluka, Northern Territory, will become part of Australia’s World Heritage-listed national park, Kakadu.

Today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the first steps towards incorporating the site into the national park.

A uranium mine atwas proposed in the 1970s but never went ahead. The site’s corporate owner had applied to extend their lease for another 10 years, but the NT Government rejected their request this week.

Here’s what you need to know.

Jabiluka

Jabiluka is located in the Northern Territory, next to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. It’s on the land of the Mirarr people.

The 73 kilometre-square area was approved for mining of uranium – a mineral used in nuclear energy production – in the 1970s.

In 1998, conservation groups and Mirarr Traditional Owners set up an eight-month blockade to stop its corporate owner, Energy Resources of Australia (ERA), from beginning to mine the site.

In 2001, ERA’s owner, Rio Tinto, guaranteed there would be no mining without consent from the Mirarr people.

The area was still owned by ERA, however, meaning the possibility of uranium mining was still open.

Earlier this year, ERA applied to extend its lease of Jabiluka for 10 years.

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Yesterday, the NT Government rejected its request.

Site’s future

In 2001, ERA’s owner, Rio Tinto, guaranteed there would be no mining without consent from the Mirarr people.

The area was still owned by ERA, however, meaning the possibility of uranium mining was still open.

Earlier this year, ERA applied to extend its lease of Jabiluka for 10 years.

Yesterday, the NT Government rejected its request.

Kakadu

In a speech today, Albanese announced the steps the Government is taking to incorporate Jabiluka into Kakadu National Park — one of the world’s largest national conservation areas.

Albanese said: “Thepeople have loved and cared for their land for more than 60,000 years.

“Our Government will work with them to keep it safe for all time.”