The Town Council will ask Territory Minister for Mining, Chris Natt, to guarantee safety for Alice Springs’ air and underground water during uranium exploration.

However, a spokesperson for Mr Natt says, in response to a query from the Alice News, that the “opportunity for the public to comment on this application [for an exploration licence] was available – that period has now closed”.

The spokesperson says Mr Natt spoke to people at the Alice Springs Show about uranium exploration in Central Australia.

“The overwhelming response was positive and in support of exploration.

“An approval to explore does not equal an approval to mine. Should any exploration prove successful, the explorer must then apply for a Mineral Lease.

“This will trigger a thorough environmental assessment process, including community consultation.

“Both the NT Government and Commonwealth Government environmental approvals must consider public comments.

“Exploration has minimal environmental impact and is strictly monitored by the NT Government.”

Aldermen do not appear to be so readily convinced.

They did not support Greens Alderman Jane Clark’s call for a halt to exploration of the Angela and Pamela deposits (25 and 21 kilometres respectively from the Alice post office), nor for a public meeting at which Federal Energy and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Mr Natt would answer residents’ concerns directly.

But, except for Ald Samih Habib, they did support her motion, seconded by Ald Melanie van Haaren, asking Mr Natt to provide a report that:

• the exploration shafts and mine will not be flooded; and
• the air and underground water will not be contaminated by the substantial drilling involved in both exploration and full scale mining.

To these points for the report were added others, put forward by Ald Brendan Heenan, about measures to be taken to rehabilitate and stabilise the drilled area should the mine not go ahead, and about a financial security bond from the mining companies during the exploration phase.

Ald Habib belives uranium is “the cleanest form of energy we can get “ and that the world “can’t afford to continue belching fossil fuel” into the atmosphere”.

He expressed confidence in the processes in place, including the eventual environmental impact study (that comes after exploration).

He says “we should be careful, keep our eyes open”, but that efforts to “stop this, stop that are in la-la land”.

Ald Liz Martin supports exploration – “we should know what’s in the land”. But she did not want to take a “premature” stand on eventual mining.

She said in her capacity as CEO of the Road Transport Historical Society which runs the Old Ghan, she is waiting for an independent  report that will guarantee the restoration of the “heritage asset” (the Old Ghan railway line) within the exploration area.

Both Alds John Rawnsley, chairing the meeting, and Murray Stewart were at pains to point out that their rejection of parts of Ald Clark’s motion did not mean that they support a uranium mine.

The council “will not be supporting an unsafe mine,” said Ald Stewart.

Mayor Damien Ryan pointed out that, once exploration finishes, the decision will rest with the Federal, not the Territory government,  though this would change with statehood.

Meanwhile, Cameco, one of the companies applying for the Angela Pamela exploration licence, announced last week that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 70% interest in the Kintyre uranium exploration project in Western Australia for US$346.5m.

According to a media release, the transaction is expected to close in August subject to ministerial approval in Western Australia and execution of certain agreements with the Martu people who are the traditional owners of the land.