NT government will not renew ERA’s Jabiluka uranium mining lease

The Northern Territory government has rejected ERA’s bid to renew its Jabiluka Mineral Lease near the world-heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

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

The Northern Territory government has ruled not to renew a controversial uranium mining lease near the world-heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

Based on advice from the federal government, Energy Resources Australia’s bid to extend its Jabiluka mineral lease by 10 years was rejected – a move backed by Mirarr traditional owners who have long protested the mine 250km east of Darwin.

ERA has held the lease for Jabiluka, one of the world’s largest and richest uranium deposits, since 1991, but had not begun mining due to an agreement not to progress without Mirarr consent.

The mineral lease is estimated to be worth $90m.

An ERA spokesman said the decision not to renew posed greater risk to the Mirarr people’s interests than allowing them to continue holding the $90m lease.

“(The decision) is disappointing and increases the potential for the site to be developed without the consent of the Mirarr traditional owners,” he said.

“Under ERA’s lease arrangements, Jabiluka cannot be developed without the consent of the Mirarr traditional owners.

“That development veto lapses once the lease expires. Without ERA’s lease arrangements in place, the potential development of the site will be in the hands of future governments.”

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

In May this year, the Northern Territory government announced a reserved land area would prevent any future applications for the grant of a mineral title over the Jabiluka area once the lease ceased.

The reserved land area will come into effect at the cessation of the mineral lease on August 11, and last for a period of two years.

Any decision about the future use of the site will rest with the federal government.

Mining Minister Mark Monaghan has announced ERAs bid to renew its Jabiluka uranium mining lease has been rejected. Picture: Fia Walsh.

NT Mining Minister Mark Monaghan said the government had gone through a thorough process to ensure all stakeholder views had been considered.

He emphasised the decision was based on federal advice, but would provide little detail on the basis for that advice.

“The federal government advice, along with the wishes of the Mirarr people, were critical to this process and outcome,” he said.

Mirarr have also asked for Jabiluka to be included in Kakadu National Park, a decision Mr Monaghan said sat with the Commonwealth.

ERA operated the Ranger uranium mine from 1981 to 2021, and is now rehabilitating the site at a cost of more than $2.4bn.

The company purchased the nearby Jabiluka site a decade later, inflaming local protests and drawing international attention from groups including UNESCO World Heritage Mission.

In the late 1990s the Mirarr people, supported by high-profile southern activists like musician Peter Garrett, waged a campaign against development of the Jabiluka mine before ERA’s owners, Rio Tinto, committed not to progress without the support of traditional owners.

The CLP said it respected the wishes of the traditional owners and any decision regarding the lease was a matter for the federal government.

Originally published as NT government will not renew ERA’s Jabiluka uranium mining lease