rum jungle tipped as nts next uranium mine

Last Update: Wednesday, August 17, 2005. 8:07am (AEST)
Rum Jungle tipped as NTs next uranium mine
A site near the disused Rum Jungle mine 75 kilometres south of Darwin could become the Northern Territory's next uranium mine.

The Territory Minerals Council says 14 companies are currently exploring for uranium in the Territory.

It says areas of most interest are in West Arnhem Land and just south of Borroloola.

In central Australia, areas of interest are near Yuendemu and north of Alice Springs at Nolans Bore and the Napperby region.

The council's Kezia Purick says the most likely site is near the abandoned Rum Jungle mine, where an exploration company has plans to mine cobalt, nickel and copper by the end of this year.

"[That] could lead to an operation in uranium mining starting within five years, possibly eight years," she said.

The council says it could take between two and 15 years to mine uranium at the other sites.

"Some of the other companies are a little bit further back, still doing exploration work but compass resources are moving forward quite positively," Ms Purick said.

Water concerns

The Northern Territory Environment Centre says it would have concerns for the supply of drinking water to Darwin if the Rum Jungle site is mined for uranium.

The centre's Peter Robertson says a new mine there could spell disaster for an environment already damaged by a 20-year history of uranium mining.

"There is that dreadful legacy of uranium mining there from decades gone by," he said.

"There obviously would be quite strong concerns from members of the local community, and of course it's not very far away from the drinking water supply catchment for Darwin itself."

Mr Robertson says the Rum Jungle site is seen as an easy option because of mining activity in the past.

"It's interesting to note that Koongarra and Jabiluka have obviously dropped off the Minerals Council's hit list... because those uranium mines are strongly opposed on environmental and cultural grounds," he said.

"They've obviously decided to pick up on the third cab off the rank at Rum Jungle."