Environmentalists want the mining of a $5 billion uranium deposit surrounded by the Kakadu National Park to be permanently put on hold.  
 
The Koongarra deposit was discovered in 1970 and it was excluded when the national park was created eight years later.  
 
Despite being surrounded by the world heritage-listed park, and only 3km from the popular Nourlangie Rock site, the deposit can still be developed by mining companies.  
 
But they cannot do so without the permission of traditional owners and Jeffrey Lee - the last remaining member of his clan - has refused to give his approval to French energy giant Areva.  
 
The company wants to mine 14,000 tonnes of uranium worth more than $5 billion.  
 
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) today called on the federal government to formally incorporate Koongarra into Kakadu and protect it from mining forever.  
 
"ACF strongly supports the Koongarra senior traditional owner's opposition to the development of the Koongarra uranium deposit," said ACF spokeswoman Adele Pedder.  
 
"The federal government should fold the Koongarra region into the permanent protection offered by Kakadu National Park."  
 
There are a number of steps before the deposit can be permanently quarantined from development, starting with consultation by the Northern Land Council.  
 
In a rare interview last year, Mr Lee said he was not interested in financial compensation.  
 
"I'm not interested in money. I've got a job, I can buy tucker, I can go fishing and hunting. That's all that matters to me," he said.  
 
"I fear for my country."