Majority shareholder Rio Tinto has blasted Energy Resources Australia over suggestions the Jabiluka uranium deposit could one day be mined despite fierce opposition from traditional owners, who have drawn parallels with Juukan Gorge.

Rio chief executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said she was increasingly frustrated and losing confidence in ERA, which this week released an independent expert’s report putting a value of up to $1.28 billion on Jabiluka and other deposits within the World Heritage-listed Kakadu national park.