Tuesday, 23 January, 2007

ABC NT Local News

Mining heavyweights say inconsistencies on uranium transport are obstacles to growth.

The Federal Resources Minister, Ian Macfarlane, has called on state governments to remove restrictions on the shipment of uranium from their ports.

Mining heavyweights met government officials in Canberra today to discuss the transport and regulatory problems facing the industry.

They have named inconsistent regulation by the states and territories and uranium transport bans as obstacles to growth.

Darwin is currently the only Australian port shipping uranium and Mr Macfarlane says that needs to change before more uranium mines open.

"There are already other ports in Australia handling radioactive material, so uranium shouldn't be singled out on a political basis," he said.

"We'd be urging both the industry and the state governments to follow the lead of the Northern Territory Government and ensure that export access to ports is available."

The Federal Government has also called on governments to clarify the royalty obligations for the operators of future uranium mines, especially for sites where uranium is not the only mineral extracted.

Mr Macfarlane says a clearer system is needed.

"The Commonwealth and the Territory Government are currently in discussions about the issue of royalties," he said.

"We understand that the industry needs certainty in this area and that a case-by-case basis is not always the best way to move forward."