The Northern Land Council today reiterated its support for the traditional owners of the Ranger uranium mine following the announcement by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) that it has identified a possible additional 40,000 tonnes of uranium oxide at the site.

The chief executive officer of the NLC, Kim Hill, said the Land Council will continue to work closely with Mirarr traditional owners of Ranger.

"The Land Council stands with the Mirarr people in their efforts to protect their country and culture from any adverse effects of mining," Mr Hill said.

ERA is authorised to operate the Ranger mine until January 2026, at which time it must leave the Ranger project area in a rehabilitated state after a five-year period of rehabilitation.

"All activity taking place at the mine site between now and 2026 must be subject to the highest degree of scrutiny in order to protect Kakadu’s natural and cultural World Heritage values.

'The Northern Land Council knows of nothing in the public domain to suggest that the existing timeframe has altered in any way. We expect mining and rehabilitation to cease in 2026.

'The Land Council has developed good relations with ERA and fully expects that the company will remain true to its legal and ethical commitments with respect to the timing of its operations at Ranger," Mr Hill said.