THE Koongarra uranium deposit inside Kakadu National Park could be locked up forever if a push by environmentalists is successful.

The 14,000-tonne deposit, 3km from the Nourlangie Rock art site in the west of the park, has been in the sights of French nuclear energy giant Areva.

The site is surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Kakadu but not included in the park's boundaries.

Traditional owner Jeffrey Lee has said he does not want mining on his country and under Commonwealth law the company cannot mine without his permission.

Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner Adele Pedder called for the area to be incorporated into Kakadu National Park, a move that would lock up the site against mining.

"The senior traditional owner has stated his opposition to the uranium development, the NT Government has stated its opposition, the World Heritage Commission opposes it and the Federal Government has a policy prohibiting uranium mining within national parks,'' she said.

The NT Government has said it would not allow uranium mining at Koongarra.

Mr Lee will meet with the Northern Land Council in the coming months to discuss his opposition to the plan.

If he wants the mining lease incorporated into Kakadu the NLC will have to support him.