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QUEENSLAND'S brief flirtation with uranium mining is over.

Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said yesterday he would not force state governments to open uranium mines.

Mr Rudd's comments come ahead of this month's Labor's national conference where he is expected to change Labor's no new mines policy.

It also came as Prime Minister John Howard prepared for a trip today to the world's largest uranium deposit at Olympic Dam, 560km north of Adelaide, for a private briefing from BHP Billiton executives on their plans to more than double its production.

Premier Peter Beattie has insisted he would have to follow a conference resolution for more uranium mines, but he would maintain the current policy of no new mines if he could.

Mr Rudd said yesterday he would only deal with federal responsibilities at the conference and not interfere with state rights.

"Our challenge at national conference is to deal with the existing prohibition when it comes to export licences for uranium," he said.

"When it comes to local land use decisions as it affects the entire resource industry, they will remain within the purview of state governments."

The move is a circuit-breaker for Mr Beattie, who faced a caucus revolt over his support for whatever uranium resolution was passed.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and parliamentary secretary Ronan Lee publicly opposed moves to open a Queensland uranium mine. A host of backbenchers back their stance.

Union leaders have also written to Mr Beattie blasting his claim that Queensland's decision on uranium would be made by federal Labor.

Earlier, Mr Beattie refused to say whether he would prefer Mr Rudd to leave responsibility for approving uranium mines with the states.

"I might give him private advice but I won't do it publicly," he said.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Saturday that 13 companies had been given permits by the State Government to exclusively explore for uranium.

However, Treasurer Anna Bligh said uranium meant little to Queensland's economy with total known deposits valued at $3.2 billion.

"To put that in context, the coal industry is currently exporting about $7.4 billion (of coal) every year," she said.

Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull compared Labor to religious zealots over climate change.

"Labor is verging on becoming fanatical about this issue," he said.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21486213-3102,00.html