Mirarr Traditional Owners celebrate mining protections over Jabiluka

Territorians are celebrating a move that could expand Kakadu National Park, as a uranium-rich deposit is granted special protections.

Corben Mudjandi alongside other Mirarr Traditional Owners have opposed a proposed mineral lease extension for Jabiluka. Picture: Zizi Averill

A radioactive deposit in the heart of Kakadu National Park could be left undisturbed following decades of activism by Traditional Owners.

The NT government has declared a special reservation status over the uranium rich Jabiluka mineral lease, which is surrounded by the World Heritage Protected area.

On Wednesday, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Senior executive director of mines Denise Turnbull announced that the Jabiluka lease area would become a general reserved land from August 11.

The incoming land status — which comes into effect 10 days after the election caretaker period — will grant similar protections as Nitmiluk National Park, which is a restricted from all mining activities.

The special reservation status announcement comes exactly 27 years after the Mirarr people announced to the world their opposition to uranium mining on Country, by unfurling a giant ‘Stop Jabiluka mine’ banner from a cliff face overlooking Oenpelli Rd in 1997.

Ten Mirarr Traditional Owners dropped a giant 'Stop Jabiluka Mine' banner from a cliff face overlooking Oenpelli Rd in June 1997. Picture: Supplied

Mirarr Senior Traditional Owner Yvonne Margarula, who has been at the centre of the fight against the mine’s development, said the promise of a protected area gave some certainty about the future of the site.

“Eva Lawler understands the Northern Territory, she respects Bininj culture. She and her Mines Minister have done the right thing for Kakadu National Park,” Ms Margarula said.

The Mirarr people maintain Jabiluka is a place of extraordinary and unique cultural heritage that deserves to be reunited with the World Heritage Protected national park.

Mirarr Traditional Owners Yvonne Margarula met with the NT Chief Minister and Mining Minister on Friday, April 19, over the proposed Jabiluka mine lease extension. Picture: Zizi Averill

However, the NT government is still considering pending mining application from Rio Tinto subsidiary Energy Resources of Australia to renew their lease on the 73 sqkm site.

The Wednesday notice only blocks new mining companies from applying for the mineral lease, and the protections will only be granted if the pending ERA application is rejected.

In 1998 more than 5000 people including Peter Garrett joined with Mirarr Traditional Owners to block the Jabiluka mine, owned by Energy Resources of Australia.

Mining Minister Mark Monaghan said the announcement did “not foreshadow or imply any decision regarding the current renewal application by ERA”.

“While the reserve land area is in place, it will prevent new applications for the grant of a mineral title over this area,” Mr Monaghan said.

“The Northern Territory government is currently following the process under the Mineral Title Act to determine the outcome of the lease renewal application.

“An outcome is expected in due course.”

Minister Mark Monaghan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Even if granted, the general reserved land would be open for a review by the minister within two years.

An ERA spokesman said for the past two decades the company had an agreement with the Mirarr Traditional Owners not to develop Jabiluka without their consent.

Senior traditional owner Yvonne Margarula of the Mirarr people stands in front of the Ranger uranium mine's pit number three in Kakadu National Park.

“This right of veto expires if the lease is not renewed,” he said.

“The extension of ERA’s mining lease at Jabiluka is the best mechanism to protect the cultural heritage at Jabiluka.”

ERA said the special reservation status was merely an “administrative measure put in place when mining leases are due to expire”.

The Rio Tinto subsidiary is expected to spend $2.3bn in rehabilitating the nearby Ranger Mine site, while Jabiluka is estimated to have $25bn of uranium oxide buried within it

Mirarr Traditional Owners held a protest outside the Energy Resources of Australia Annual General Meeting of shareholders at the Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel, Wood St following the mine owner's decision apply for a mine lease extension for Jabiluka. Picture: Zizi Averill

Mirarr Traditional Owner Corben Mudjandi suggested the push to extend the lease was to appease shareholders.

“Mirarr have always said we will never agree to mining at Jabiluka. This is sacred country and needs protection,” the 23-year-old said.

Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the Mirarr Traditional owners, Environment Centre NT and the Australian Conservation Foundation have all called on the Territory to reject the ERA application, and for the federal government to reincorporate Jabiluka into Kakadu National Park.

Originally published as Mirarr Traditional Owners celebrate mining protections over Jabiluka