Uranium Mining and Regulation in the Northern Territory of Australia

摘要

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) has a long association with uranium exploration and mining. All phases of the uranium production cycle are currently active in the NT: over 70 authorisations have been issued in relation to uranium exploration a number of identified resources are expected to reach the development stage shortly there is presently one operating uranium mine (Ranger) there are remediated uranium mine sites from different ages of development there are legacy uranium mine sites under active management and investigation. The paper provides an overview of the history and the situation today before describing the regulatory regime operated by the NT Government’s Department of Resources. In the Alligator Rivers region, this process is made more complex by the need for interaction between the NT and Commonwealth Governments. Elsewhere, there are many stakeholders to work with including land councils and a range of other interested and involved parties. The uranium exploration program extend over the whole of the NT and present a wide variety of environmental challenges, which in turn, requires a broad spectrum of skills to be present amongst the regulatory staff. This presentation will also look at the NT’s future in the areas of uranium mine development, mine life extensions and mine closures and remediation. Finally, this presentation will explain the possible impacts that recent changes to the Mining Management Act may have on uranium mining and resource development in the NT.