Thursday, 22 November, 2007

ABC NT Local News

The uranium mining company Nupower has opened its first office in Darwin, and hopes to soon open several mines around the Territory.

The mining company says it plans to spend $1.5 million in the next year on conducting airborne electro magnetic surveys north of Alice Springs.

Nupower also says it will undergo extensive water sampling which will lead to drilling in a number of areas across the Northern Territory.

Managing Director Dennis O'Neil says the Territory's uranium friendly Government makes it a place with enormous potential.

"The politics of uranium in this country have been, let's say, a little difficult for the last 20 or so years. The Territory has been a stand out, along with South Australia, as jurisdictions which have been favouring the development of new uranium."

Mr O'Neil says the companies close relationship with land councils means it can consider drilling in many areas.

"[It] may take us out to the north-western side of the Territory closer to the Victoria River area and we are also extending the ground that we already hold up toward Tennant Creek, so we are spreading ourselves around the Territory so we can diversify the geological risk that we face up to."

The Government says Nupower's move could inject millions of dollars into the local economy.