Tuesday, 23 October, 2007

ABC NT Local News

The Northern Territory Mines Department is assessing 37 applications for two uranium deposits in Central Australia after a company withdrew an appeal over its claims to the sites.

Last December Norm McCleary pegged out claims to the Angela and Pamela deposits near Alice Springs only moments after the Northern Territory Government lifted restrictions on the land.

The claims, potentially worth billions of dollars, effectively gazumped other applications.

But in February the Supreme Court ruled the claim unlawful because Mr McCleary was trespassing.

The head of the Minerals and Energy Division, Richard Sellers, says the company agreed not to proceed with the appeal that was to be heard today.

"It's a really good thing for the Territory that we get the confidence of investors that know that their applications are going to be dealt with in a timely manner and it is a real relief to have the court process and appeals finally dismissed and out of the way," he said.

Mr Sellars says the case sends a clear message about the seriousness of standards in the Territory.

"Certainly there is a correct way of doing it and the dismissal of the McCleary appeal shows our processes are robust and what we have up here is set-up and workable, we will be looking at Mr McCleary's actions and should it [be] warranted, take further action," he said.

The Department says McCleary Investment will pay $88,000 to the Northern Territory for costs.