STUDIES into the expansion of the Territory's only uranium mine are under way. 

Energy Resources of Australia hopes to mine an additional 8000 tonnes of uranium oxide at Ranger, 260km east of Darwin.

The expansion feasibility study is costing $7 million.

ERA also wants to install a heap leach plant to treat up to 20,000 tonnes of oxide contained in low-grade mineralised material.

The company is celebrating being named NT Exporter of the Year Award and winning the Mining and Energy Award at the Northern Territory Chief Minister's Export and Industry Awards on Thursday.

ERA is the world's fourth largest uranium producer, providing nearly 11 per cent of global primary uranium production.

The open-cut Ranger mine, 260km east of Darwin, is Australia's largest uranium producer.

ERA said its uranium was used only for the generation of nuclear electricity under strict international safeguards monitored by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In the last financial year, uranium sales were $US349 million, an increase of 70 per cent over the previous 12 months.

ERA said it contributed $A123 million to the Territory economy in 2007, spending $A47 million in wages and salaries.

Growth has continued in 2008 as the company explores expansion options for the Ranger operation.

ERA acting chief executive Chris Bateman said ERA was a "significant contributor" to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.

"The energy produced by the uranium we sell is equivalent to 60 per cent of the total electricity produced in Australia," he said.

"Our contribution to the global reduction of greenhouse gases is something we take great pride in."