RANGER uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia has flagged a $50 million to $60m loss for the first half.

The forecast loss by the listed Rio Tinto subsidiary was made by the company in presentation notes filed with the ASX ahead of a two-day tour by analysts of the Northern Territory mine.

It follows ERA's loss of $153.6m last calendar year when the Ranger mine, in Kakadu National Park, was shut down for pat of the year because of problems caused by above average rainfall. The ASX filing reveals that despite Ranger experiencing significantly less rainfall than in the previous wet season, ERA has still had to buy 500 tonnes of uranium on global spot markets to meet contact commitments.

On a more positive note, ERA said it was close to signing a new mining agreement with the traditional owners, the Mirrar people, entitling them to "greater participation in the benefits from mining on their land".

According to ERA, the traditional owners have also "expressed a willingness to consider future development on the Ranger project area".

ERA expects to produce between 3200 tonnes to 3700 tonnes of uranium this year.

Production beyond 2016 depends on the outcome of studies on processing low-grade ore.

Forward capital expenditure commitments remain heavy this year and next.

Upgraded water handling capability will cost $151m this year and $54m next year.

Capital expenditure this year is forecast at $216m, falling to $118m next year and to $15m in 2014.

Earlier this month, ERA approved $57m for expenditure on a study into the potential of the Ranger 3 Deeps mine. A decision on its viability is due in late 2014.