Uranium to provide majority of China's power: BHP
ABC International
The chairman of Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton says Australia could be supplying 70 per cent of China's power needs from uranium in the future.
Don Argus has told a business conference in Canberra that China is Australia's most important trading partner.
He says there's no reason BHP Billiton can't supply uranium to China from its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia.
"In fact 70 per cent of this uranium could come out of Olympic Dam, there's other uranium miners here in Australia to take advantage of this opportunity if we are brave enough to go down the path of the alternate route," he said.
Mr Argus says Australia needs to have a debate about supplying uranium to Asia, including China.
Australia and China signed a uranium supply agreement in 2006, but the Rudd Government has ruled out the sale of nuclear material to India.
Don Argus has told a business conference in Canberra that China is Australia's most important trading partner.
He says there's no reason BHP Billiton can't supply uranium to China from its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia.
"In fact 70 per cent of this uranium could come out of Olympic Dam, there's other uranium miners here in Australia to take advantage of this opportunity if we are brave enough to go down the path of the alternate route," he said.
Mr Argus says Australia needs to have a debate about supplying uranium to Asia, including China.
Australia and China signed a uranium supply agreement in 2006, but the Rudd Government has ruled out the sale of nuclear material to India.