THE Northern Territory Government has released draft guidelines for an environmental impact statement into BHP Billiton's plan to export uranium-bearing concentrates from Darwin.

BHP already exports uranium concentrate from Darwin in sealed 200-litre drums. However, the new plan would also involve exporting copper concentrates bearing uranium.

"The copper concentrate will be transported in sealed rail wagons on dedicated wagon rolling stock,'' the guidelines say. "It would be stockpiled in the sealed storage facility at East Arm Port before being conveyed to the wharf on a dedicated closed conveyer for ship loading.

"A closed system facility is proposed for the transfer of copper concentrate from rail equipment to ship loading equipment. This facility would be built on land made available by the Darwin Port Corporation as close as possible to the point of loading.''

Comments on the EIS guidelines can be submitted to the NT Government by October 31.