A forum was held in Darwin last night for the public to discuss the Energy Resources Australia-owned uranium mine in Kakadu.

Traditional Owners for the mine site spoke of their concern that there would be permanent environmental damage and health risks to communities.

The mine's lease expires in 20-21 and it has five years from then to rehabilitate the site.

It's understood ERA was not formerly invited to the meeting last night and there were no representatives present.

Dr Michael Fonda from the Public Health Association says the risk of radiation to workers and communities is very real.

"In a study in people who live the community around the mine there was a very frightening finding of a 90 percent increase in cancer.

"There's quite a lot of evidence around the world linking low level radioactivity exposure to ill effects, the most obvious one is cancer."

In a written statement of response ERA said:

· The levels of radiation as measured at the ranger mine, Jabiru and surrounding communities are safe, well within international and national limits and a small fraction of the natural background radiation. 

· To suggest that the very low levels of radiation exposure to the Jabiru community, from the Ranger mine, is a cause of a cancer increase is totally inconsistent with all scientific evidence and research and is also not borne out by nature.

· Safety is the first priority and a principal focus of workplace culture at ERA. ERA has an excellent safety record in relation to its staff.

· In relation to the community, the Australian Government's Supervising Scientist Division (SSD), which monitors the impact of uranium mining on the environment and people in the Alligator Rivers region, stated in its 2009/2010 Annual Report that its extensive monitoring and research programmes "confirm that the environment has remained protected. 

· The levels of radiation in Jabiru, including both the natural radiation and the far smaller contribution from the mine, remain less than the world wide average from nature. The fact is that these levels are less than what the majority of the Earth's population is exposed to over the long term and at these levels no ill effects from the mine related radiation will ever be manifest.

· If this assertion was true, the majority of the Earth's population receive higher levels of exposure than that at Jabiru and this is not giving rise to widespread increase in cancer from nature.

· ERA is the back-bone of the local economy and contributes to the social and local community infrastructure and amenities.

· In 2010 a total of $19.9m was paid in royalties to NT Aboriginal interests. A proportion of the royalties paid to NT Aboriginal interests flows to the Mirarr Traditional Owners. 

· ERA's Ranger mine operates under some of the most rigorous regulatory requirements in the world.

· The Australian Government's Supervising Scientist Division (SSD)*, which monitors the impact of uranium mining on the environment and people in the Alligator Rivers region, stated in its 2009/2010 Annual Report that its extensive monitoring and research programmes "confirm that the environment has remained protected".