The Environment Centre of the NT has called for an independent inquiry into the operations of the Ranger Uranium mine in Kakadu National Park.

ECNT uranium spokesperson Justin Tutty says recent revelations about an ongoing leak from the mine's main tailings dam are grounds for an independent inquiry.

“This month, the supervising scientist revealed details of the waste management crisis at the Ranger mine in Kakadu”, said Mr Tutty. “100,000 litres of contaminated material is being lost daily from the Ranger tailings dam.”

“There has been a history of leaks and spills at Ranger and there is an urgent to improve the scrutiny and operations of this controversial mine. Territorians expect the people and environment of Kakadu to be effectively protected.”

“We're not satisfied by assurances from the Supervising Scientist that the company will look into it.”

“We're not impressed by the company's claim that they always expected a toxic plume to develop from the dam's inferior design.”

“This is an unacceptable situation. ERA must abandon plans for expansion, that would necessarily add to the huge volumes of radioactive waste and contaminated water being juggled on site at Ranger.”

These revelations from the Supervising Scientist are clear grounds for an independent inquiry into the most effective pathway to rehabilitation of this polluted minesite.”