Western Australia Mining Ban Lifted

摘要

BHP Billiton is to reactivate its Yeelirrie uranium project in Western Australia following the official lifting of the ban on uranium mining in the region. The overturning of the six-year ban imposed by the previous Labor government follows the September election of a new Liberal-National coalition headed by Colin Barnett. BHP Billiton said its first plan is to undertake a drilling programme to confirm the resource, which is estimated by Geoscience Australia to contain more than 40,000t U_3O_8. It is also assembling a project team to evaluate mining and processing options and to prepare an environmental impact statement.