Tuesday 1 August 2006
ABC NT Local News

Compass Resources says federal fast-tracking of its Browns oxide project near Batchelor in the Northern Territory will not speed up applications for any future mining it has planned.

The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) have claimed that major project status for the mixed ore body mine pointed to federal interest in the company's future interest in a larger uranium mine.

Compass Resources Rod Elvish says the company is interested in mining uranium adjacent to the Rum Jungle site near Batchelor, 100 kilometres south of Darwin.

But he says that project is separate to the Browns oxide project and will not be covered by this round of federal assistance.

"That will require a full environmental impact statement to be taken so nothing will happen until unless that environmental impact statement (EIS) is completed and that's down the track," he said.

Northern Territory Environment Centre (NTEC) spokesman Peter Robertson says the fast-tracking of the Brown's oxide project is linked to a future uranium mine.

"It's already been through an EIS process, the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) has recommended approval, the Minister for the Environment has recommended approval so it's already at the end of approvals anyway," he said.

"So why would the Commonwealth step in now with this flag-waving stunt unless it's actually a precursor to the fast tracking of a uranium mine?"