Tuesday, 26 September, 2006

The Australian

THE Australian uranium industry has set up a new lobby group to represent its interests in the wake of the huge appeal in exploration and imminent sales to China.

Uranium Information Centre chairman Harry Kenyon-Slaney said the new body, the Australian Uranium Association, would both articulate the national interest associated with uranium mining and export, and advocate the industry's positions to government and the community.

"In recognition of the role of mining in the life cycle of uranium, the association will also support and actively participate in the recently established uranium stewardship working groups that have been established both in Australia and internationally," Mr Kenyon-Slaney said.

"The objective of the association is to enable the uranium mining and export industry to develop and operate in an environment of policy certainty and regulatory stability.

"Achieving that will ensure the industry delivers on its potential to become a major contributor to the national economy."

The association's first executive director will be Michael Angwin, who most recently served for two years as director of economic policy in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, and formerly held senior positions at the Business Council of Australia, at mining company Rio Tinto and in consulting.

Last year, uranium production at Australia's three active mines totalled more than 11,200 tonnes.

The Federal Government is currently negotiating an agreement to sell uranium to China for its domestic electricity production, and BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam plans to expand production four-fold to cope with new demand.