Anti-nuclear activists in Alice Springs say changes to uranium royalties in the Northern Territory will make way for the exploitation of Aboriginal communities.

The bill extends the royalty system so miners pay a fixed rate only if they are making profits, rather than basing the rate on production.

The bill was passed in the federal Senate earlier this week.

Jimmy Cocking from the Arid Lands Environment Centre says the Federal Government has bowed to industry pressure and Aboriginal people will suffer.

"It's going to be easier for companies to get it up so you might find that companies who are more marginal - not the big producers but the more marginal companies - will start digging and then find out that they can't even pay for the rehabilitation costs," he said.

"That's of concern because you end up with a big radioactive hole and no money to fill it with."