Mirarr welcome acknowledgement Ranger uranium mine clean-up will cost more than intially forecast

Energy Resources of Australia has warned it faces ‘material’ cost blowouts in its clean-up and rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine site in the cherished Kakadu National Park.

MINING company Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) has warned it faces “material” cost blowouts in its clean-up and rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine site in the cherished Kakadu National Park.

After first alluding to a re-forecast of the cost of the $730m clean-up three months ago, ERA, majority-owned by mining heavyweight Rio Tinto, said it is not yet able to put a dollar figure on the additional expenditure or provide a date of expected completion.

In a statement on Friday, ERA said it would update the market “when the reforecast cost and schedule reach anacceptable degree of confidence”.

“ERA remains committed to the successful rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area in accordance with its environmental obligations,” the miner said.

The Ranger uranium mine in Kakadu National Park. Picture: Supplied.

ERA ceased production at the Ranger site in January this year, after decades of uranium mining adjacent to the township of Jabiru, 250km east of Darwin. The traditional owners of Kakadu National Park, the Mirarr, had long fought to shut down the mine since its inception in 1978.

Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation (GAC), which represents the rights and interests of the Mirarr, reaffirmed that an “adequate time period and funding allocation” was required to ensure a comprehensive rehabilitation of the mine site.

GAC chief executive Justin O’Brien welcomed the announcement from ERA noting the additional costs and time needed for the rehabilitation project.

“We are heartened that the company has recognised these gaps and is working to assess the size of them,” he said.

“It is of the utmost importance that Rio Tinto, ERA and the Australian government work to ensure Kakadu is not left with a toxic legacy from this mine.”

Mirarr senior traditional owner Yvonne Margarula asserted that a comprehensive rehabilitation of the site was essential.

Senior traditional owner Yvonne Margarula of the Mirarr people stands infront of a Ranger uranium mine pit. Picture: Supplied

“The mining company knows how important that work is – for the world and especially for my family,” she said.

“I want ERA, Rio Tinto and the Australian government to continue that work and finish the work of rehabilitation and monitoring. Mining has finished on Mirarr country and will never happen again, but we need all the country cleaned up forever.”

Originally published as Mirarr welcome acknowledgement Ranger uranium mine clean-up will cost more than intially forecast