Wednesday 23 November 2005
ABC

Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin says her Government remains cautious about uranium mining but recognises its importance to the economy.

At the Government's Economic Forum in Darwin today, Ms Martin said she remained a supporter of the Territory's only uranium mine at Ranger.

But she is standing by Labor's policy of no new uranium mines because of transport and storage concerns.

"We will be very cautious about uranium but very strong about our other resource base," she said.

"It's not the same as gold, it's not the same as bauxite or manganese."

Cameco Australia is exploring for uranium in Arnhem Land.

Company spokesman Ron Matthews says the industry's importance to the economy will continue to grow.

"There's been a significant increase in applications in the Northern Territory for uranium," he said.

Mr Matthews says Cameco alone will spend $6 million in the Territory next year.

He says there has been renewed interest in uranium since the Commonwealth took over control of approving new uranium mines from the Territory Government.

"It's acknowledged as a good area to look so I think that people are willing to take a risk," he said.