The Prime Ministers visit to the NT this week has highlighted concerns for the future of Kakadu and the uncertainty around plans for expanded uranium operations in the World Heritage listed region.

The visit follows a detailed report released last week by Julia Gillard showing that climate change is increasingly likely to cause damage to mines and infrastructure in Kakadu over the next 60 years.

Recent statements by key financial group Merrill Lynch have also increased uncertainty over plans by Energy Resources of Australia to expand operations at its troubled Ranger uranium operation in Kakadu.  ERA’s poor mine management is bringing into question the planned development of both the unproven acid heap leach and the underground Ranger 3 Deeps projects. 

(Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/ranger-a-ride-of-shame-for-era-and-rio-tinto-20110607-1fqzx.html#ixzz1Of1SwfJ1)

“While the rain may have stopped in the Top End, criticism of the Ranger uranium mine continues to fall nationwide.” said Cat Beaton, Nuclear Free Campaigner at the Environment Centre NT.

The new criticism follows a statement from April where Merrill Lynch indicated that instead of expanding, ‘the ‘do nothing’ option and a focus on earlier site rehabilitation could well prove the more desirable path for ERA’.

The Environment Centre NT welcomes this measured assessment of ERA’s water management and exploration aspirations at Ranger.

“It is good to see planned further developments at Ranger come under heavy scrutiny. The Kakadu community and environment deserve nothing less,” said Ms Beaton.

“On environmental and financial grounds the path ahead is getting harder for ERA. Ranger has had its day and the most the positive way forward is for ERA to scrap plans for expansion and move towards the comprehensive closure and rehabilitation of the Ranger site”.