Massive new uranium deposit found in Australia
ABC Radio National
Politicians in Australia's Northern Territory have welcomed discovery of another massive uranium deposit at an existing mine near Kakadu National Park.
Ranger mine, which is run by Energy Resources Australia, is already one of the world's biggest uranium mines with about 50,000 tonnes of deposits.
ERA says it may have found almost as much again.
The state mines minister, Kon Vatskalis, says he is confident the mine could potentially expand without damaging the surrounding Kakadu National Park.
"Every mine that operates in the Northern Territory has to provide assurity and monetary assurity, and with regards to rehabilitation," he said.
"We have got two mines in the Territory currently that total about $A350 million to $400 million.
"This money is for us to make sure that they will do the rehabilitation, and if they don't do it we will use this money to do it for them.
"ERA will be expected to provide monetary assurity as part of the approval of any new mine."
Ranger mine, which is run by Energy Resources Australia, is already one of the world's biggest uranium mines with about 50,000 tonnes of deposits.
ERA says it may have found almost as much again.
The state mines minister, Kon Vatskalis, says he is confident the mine could potentially expand without damaging the surrounding Kakadu National Park.
"Every mine that operates in the Northern Territory has to provide assurity and monetary assurity, and with regards to rehabilitation," he said.
"We have got two mines in the Territory currently that total about $A350 million to $400 million.
"This money is for us to make sure that they will do the rehabilitation, and if they don't do it we will use this money to do it for them.
"ERA will be expected to provide monetary assurity as part of the approval of any new mine."