THE last drum has been packed, crusher and conveyor belts switched off … uranium mining in Jabiru has ceased after four decades.
The town that sprung up 218km from Darwin in 1982 in Kakadu said goodbye to another 130 residents when Energy Resources Australia (ERA) hung up its mining hat at the Ranger uranium mine yesterday.
It was a day of mixed emotions as the ERA workers gathered for the family break-up to say their goodbyes.
ERA chief executive Paul Arnold described the day as momentous paying homage to the thousands of mine workers and their families who had played a role in the 40-year history of Ranger.
He thanked the generations of employees who devoted their skills and expertise throughout the life of the mine.
He pointed to the role the Ranger mine has played not only in the Jabiru community but also on the world energy stage.
“There is a sense of accomplishment at what has been achieved by everyone in the ERA team,” Mr Arnold told the 160 workers who had gathered for the final shutdown.
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“It has been quite remarkable, almost pioneering.
“What we have produced here, uranium oxide, has been critical in the energy generation in many countries around the world.
“At various times Ranger has been producing uranium oxide that accounted for one per cent of the world’s power generation.
“This may not seem like a big number, but when you think of the amount of power generated worlds wide this figure is significant.
“Our next goal is for the rehabilitation of the Ranger Mine.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to prove what the people of ERA are capable of.”
Northern Territory Acting Chief Minister and Mines Minister Nicole Manison paid tribute to ERA and the mine’s contribution to the Territory, and importantly to the township of Jabiru.
“We recognise that the ERA mine has not only further established Jabiru as a key township in the Territory, but has been a big contributor to the NT economy and provided hundreds of local jobs, from construction, to production, and now in closure and rehabilitation,” Ms Manison said.
“The resources sector is responsible for around 4400 jobs in the Territory, and this government is supporting the sustainable development of the mining industry in the NT.
“While today marks the end of mining at Ranger, there is a bright future for Jabiru as a world class tourism destination and an important service town.
“The Kakadu Deal will see major investments in roads, service and cultural infrastructure and more tourism accommodation and upgrades.”
While more than 160 Ranger mine workers have finished up in the past month, a team of about 30 employees will remain for up to six months to complete the Decommissioning and Make Safe activities to prepare the plant for demolition.
Another 125 employees will continue to work on the closure project, with progressive end dates through to 2026.
To prepare workers for life post Ranger, ERA put in place a My Future Plan employee support program in early 2018.
The program’s objective was to prepare employees for ‘Life After ERA’, providing opportunities to expand their skills and capabilities as the company planned for the cessation of production.
The program also provides support to people who are seeking to be redeployed within the broader Rio Tinto group and to those who may wish to start their own business or retire.
Ninety five per cent of eligible employees have taken part in the My Future Plan to date, undertaking training and upskilling programs aligned to their future career and personal preferences.
The Ranger mine was Australia’s longest continually producing uranium mine.
The Ranger ore body, the richest in the southern hemisphere, was discovered in late 1969 and the mine operation began in 1980, reaching full production of uranium oxide in 1981. The Ranger mine ultimately led to the construction of the township of Jabiru in 1982.
During that time, Ranger has produced more than 132,000 tonnes of uranium oxide.
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Jabiru was originally a closed town to house the community living at Jabiru East near the Ranger uranium mine 8km away.
Both the mine and the town are completely surrounded by Kakadu National Park.
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