The Rio Tinto-backed Energy Resources Australia (ERA) on Wednesday lodged an application for a 10-year mine lease extension at Jabiluka – an area near the Ranger uranium mine that is surrounded by,but not part of,the Kakadu National Park. The application has inflamed tensions with the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation,who represent the Mirarr traditional owners of the former Ranger uranium mine.
Jabiluka was developed and prepared for mining before work was stopped,following huge backlash,including this rally in Melbourne in 1999.The Age
Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Thalia van den Boogaard said an application was being prepared to the federal government asking for protection of Jabiluka’s cultural heritage. She called for the Northern Territory government and ERA to support the push.
“If ERA is true to its word about wanting to protect Mirarr’s cultural heritage,we expect it will support protection through the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act[NT] and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act[CTH],” van den Boogaard said.
“ERA says it wants to protect our cultural heritage at Jabiluka,the best way of doing that is to include it in the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park where it belongs.”
The lease area covers a sacred site with hundreds of ancient rock art galleries.
In a statement this week,ERA said extending its mining rights would give the traditional owners control over the Jabiluka deposit,including the right of veto over any future development. The company has pledged to not mine the deposit as long as traditional owners remain opposed to it.
“If the lease is not renewed,the agreement and development veto lapses,” ERA said. “Without this contractual veto right,there is a risk that Jabiluka could be developed in the future regardless of the Mirarr traditional owner’s position,given the global significance of the deposit and demand for uranium from stable democracies.”
However,Rio Tinto,the majority shareholder of ERA,has expressed support for the Mirarr traditional owners’ opposition to extending the mining lease.
“We stand by and acknowledge the Mirarr people’s consistent opposition to developing Jabiluka,” a Rio Tinto spokesperson said.
“Rio Tinto’s utmost priority and commitment is to the rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area in a way that is consistent with the wishes of the Mirarr people,along with respect for their long-held opposition to any future development of the Jabiluka uranium deposit,” the company said.
Sandstone escarpment and bim (rock art) on Jabiluka mineral lease.Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation
As recently as last year,Rio Tinto clashed with ERA’s board after it commissioned an independent report suggesting traditional owners might change their mind about the Jabiluka project,or that the lease might be able to be sold.
Rio Tinto said it supported the Mirarr peoples’ aim to work with the Northern Territory,federal governments and ERA to ensure Jabiluka’s continued protection. Last year,the mining giant stopped listing Jabiluka as a prospective “mineral resource” among its assets because it has promised not to mine the deposit as long as traditional owners oppose it.
The prospect of mining at Jabiluka – a lease area near the Ranger uranium mine that is surrounded by,but not part of,the Kakadu National Park – sparked fierce opposition among traditional owners and environmental campaigners in 1998 when thousands took part in a human blockade at the site and hundreds were arrested.
Since the signing of the 2005 care and maintenance agreement,Rio Tinto has made clear that Jabiluka will not be developed,because of long-standing traditional owners’ objections.
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