Leslie Massey
Uranium mining in Australia has been a highly political issue, with a history of anti-nuclear opposition. However, in recent years, state governments have approved mine development in Western Australia. As of 2021, Australia had the world's largest known recoverable resources of uranium, with 36 known uranium deposits. This includes the Yeelirrie deposit, owned by Cameco, which has proposed two open pits for the project. Uranium mining in Western Australia is regulated by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and the Radiological Council, which ensures the safe mining, transportation, and export of radioactive material.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of Uranium mines in Western Australia | Yeelirrie deposit, Mulga polymetallic deposit, Kalgoorlie region |
| Uranium deposits in Western Australia | 226,000 tonnes as of February 2014 |
| Uranium mining status in Western Australia | Policy ban on new mines |
| Uranium mining regulation in Western Australia | Regulated by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and the Radiological Council |
| Uranium export earnings | $1.2 billion in 2023-24 |
| Uranium export destinations | South Australia, Northern Territory, Japan, Finland, France |
| Uranium end-use | Nuclear power generation, medical treatments (radiation therapy, x-ray), nuclear research |
| Uranium mining companies in Western Australia | Cameco, Deep Yellow, Western Mining Corporation |
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What You'll Learn
- Uranium mining in Western Australia is banned, but projects can be approved
- The Yeelirrie deposit is a significant uranium project owned by Cameco
- The Mulga polymetallic deposit is one of Australia's largest undeveloped uranium projects
- The Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine is located near the opal mining centre of Andamooka
- Uranium mining in Australia is highly political, particularly for the Australian Labor Party
Uranium mining in Western Australia is banned, but projects can be approved
Uranium mining in Western Australia has been a highly politicized issue. While there is a policy ban on new mines in the region, the government has allowed previously approved projects to proceed. This means that while mining projects may be approved, there is an overarching ban in place.
The state has known deposits of about 226,000 tonnes of uranium, and the Mulga polymetallic deposit in the Kalgoorlie region is one of Australia's largest undeveloped uranium projects. The Yeelirrie deposit, owned by Cameco, is another significant uranium project in Western Australia. Cameco was granted federal approval for mining at Yeelirrie in 2019, but the state approval was rescinded in January 2022 as the project had not commenced.
Uranium mining in Australia has faced opposition due to antinuclear sentiments, and the country has strict regulations for the industry. Uranium mining is subject to state-based policies and legislation, with mining currently allowed in the Northern Territory and South Australia. The Australian uranium industry works under "nuclear non-proliferation" arrangements to ensure uranium is used only for peaceful purposes, such as energy generation and medical treatments. Uranium exports from Australia are highly regulated, and the country generated $1.2 billion in export earnings from uranium in 2023-24.
While nuclear power is banned in Australia, the country possesses the world's largest endowment of uranium resources, with around one-third of global resources. The development of new mines has been approved in Western Australia, but market prices have hindered the progression of projects.
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The Yeelirrie deposit is a significant uranium project owned by Cameco
Uranium mining in Australia has been highly political, with many prospective mines constrained by active antinuclear opposition. Uranium is subject to a myriad of state-based policies and legislation, and mining is currently allowed in the Northern Territory and South Australia. There is a ban on new mines in Western Australia, although the four projects approved during the previous government's term are allowed to proceed.
The Yeelirrie deposit is one of Australia's largest undeveloped uranium deposits. The deposit is located approximately 650 km northeast of Perth and approximately 750 km south of Cameco's Kintyre project. Yeelirrie was originally discovered in 1972 by Western Mining Corporation (WMC) and has since seen extensive exploration work by WMC and BHP Billiton. In 2012, Cameco acquired the Yeelirrie project and is now the sole owner and operator. Cameco believes that Yeelirrie is one of the best undeveloped uranium projects in the world. However, they are awaiting a signal from the market that additional production is needed before making any new development decisions.
In April 2019, the Australian Federal Department of Environment and Energy granted environmental approval for the Yeelirrie uranium project, following approval from the State Government of Western Australia in January 2017. Cameco is advancing the project at a pace aligned with market demands and is well-positioned to respond when the markets are favourable. Cameco's global exploration activity is adjusted annually based on market signals and the company's mining plans and sourcing needs. The company's other significant uranium projects include the Millennium deposit in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan and the Kintyre deposit in Australia.
Australia has the world's largest endowment of uranium resources, with around one-third of global resources. Uranium mining in the country is a highly regulated industry, with strict safeguards in place to ensure that uranium is used only for peaceful purposes, such as energy generation and medical treatments. Uranium exports from Australia are allowed only to countries with which Australia has a nuclear cooperation agreement and are monitored by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO).
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The Mulga polymetallic deposit is one of Australia's largest undeveloped uranium projects
Uranium mining in Australia has been highly political, with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) debating the issue at its biennial conference in 1982. The "Three mine policy" was introduced in 1984, confining mining activities to three sites: Ranger, Nabarlek, and Olympic Dam. However, in 2008, the ALP approved a fourth uranium mine, the Four Mile mine in South Australia.
Despite Australia having the world's largest endowment of uranium resources, with around one-third of global resources, there is a policy ban on new mines in Western Australia. Nevertheless, the Mulga polymetallic deposit, located in the Great Victoria Desert near Kalgoorlie, is one of Australia's largest undeveloped uranium projects. The deposit was first discovered by PNC Exploration in 1979 and is now owned by Deep Yellow. The project is divided into Mulga Rock East and Mulga Rock West, with a JORC mineral resource estimate of 115 million tonnes at 420 parts per million for 104.8 million pounds of U3O8. Uranium production capacity for Mulga Rock is projected to be 3.5 million pounds per year over a mine life of more than 15 years. The project has received State Ministerial approval and is currently the only one of four approved projects likely to be developed soon.
The Mulga Rock Uranium Project (MRUP) contains the country's biggest undeveloped uranium resources and is 100% owned and operated by Vimy Resources. The mine is expected to produce 1,360 tonnes of uranium oxide per year over an estimated mine life of 16 years. Its development is projected to create 490 new jobs in Western Australia. The mine includes four main polymetallic deposits: Princess and Ambassador in the Mulga Rock East (MRE) mining centre, and Emperor and Shogun in the Mulga Rock West (MRW) mining centre.
The Mulga Rock project is expected to yield 4.5 million tonnes of ore per year. The ore will be processed in two stages: first at a beneficiation plant, and then at the main process plant. The run-of-mine (ROM) ore feed will be crushed and conveyed to a semi-mobile beneficiation plant, where it will be pulped in a log washer to wash off clay material. The slurry will then be screened and stacked in a stockpile before being transported to the main processing plant, where it will be ground in a semi-autogenous mill. The milled ore will undergo further chemical treatments, and the final uranium product will be washed, filtered, dried, and packaged in steel drums for transport.
The site will include major infrastructure such as a processing plant, ROM ore stockpile areas, a short-term above-ground tailings storage facility, fuel and chemical storage, and water storage facilities. Power will be supplied by remote build, own, and operate (BOO) power stations located within a 300km radius of the project.
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The Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine is located near the opal mining centre of Andamooka
Uranium mining in Australia has been a highly politicised issue, with many prospective mines facing opposition from environmentalists and indigenous communities. Despite this, Australia has the world's largest endowment of uranium resources, accounting for around one-third of global resources. Uranium mining in the country is largely focused in the Northern Territory and South Australia, with a ban on new mines in Western Australia.
The Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine is located in South Australia, around 550-560km north-west of Adelaide. The mine is situated near the opal mining centre of Andamooka, approximately 25km to the east. The site is a large poly-metallic underground mine, with the deposit located around 350m below the surface.
The Olympic Dam mine is owned and operated by BHP, which acquired the previous owner, WMC Resources, in 2005. The deposit was originally discovered by the Western Mining Corporation in 1975, with production commencing in 1988. The mine has since undergone several expansion projects, with BHP announcing plans for further expansion in 2007, which were later shelved due to economic factors.
The Olympic Dam mine is a significant producer of copper, uranium, gold, and silver. In 2011, the mine produced 194,100 tonnes of copper, 4,045 tonnes of uranium oxide, 111,368 ounces of refined gold, and 982,000 ounces of refined silver. Copper is the largest contributor to the mine's revenue, accounting for approximately 70%, while uranium contributes around 25%. The mine's long-term development project has involved the construction of the nearby town of Roxby Downs, which serves as a hub for mine workers and their families.
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Uranium mining in Australia is highly political, particularly for the Australian Labor Party
Uranium mining in Australia has been a highly debated topic for several decades, with opposition groups citing environmental impacts, indigenous land access, and nuclear proliferation as reasons for restricting the industry. Uranium mining is subject to a myriad of state-based policies and legislation, and development projects have often been hindered by a series of inquiries and the politicisation of issuing mining and export licences. This makes the process of establishing new mines challenging.
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has had a particularly contentious relationship with uranium mining. In 2007, the Labor Party was divided over the issue, with the federal party scrapping its 25-year ban on new uranium mines, while the Western Australia state Labor government, led by Premier Alan Carpenter, defied this decision and maintained its ban. The federal party's decision was influenced by the potential for increased investment and growth in the industry, as well as the global resurgence of nuclear power as a response to global warming.
In 2008, the ALP, then in government, approved a fourth uranium mine, the Four Mile uranium mine in South Australia, ending its long-standing policy. This decision was met with opposition from environmentalists and some members of the Greens party. Despite this, the ALP's new policy was hailed by the mining industry as a significant development, as it signalled bipartisan support for the uranium industry for the first time in 30 years.
However, the debate around uranium mining in Australia remains ongoing, with the ALP's position continuing to evolve. While the party has approved new mines, it maintains its opposition to other forms of nuclear industrial development within the country. The ALP's stance on uranium mining is influenced by the economic potential of the industry, as well as the global demand for uranium and the need for energy security and low emissions alternatives. Nevertheless, the party must also navigate the environmental and social concerns surrounding uranium mining, particularly within certain states, such as Western Australia, where opposition to mining activities has been strong.
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Frequently asked questions
Uranium is not currently mined in Western Australia. The Western Australian government's ban on uranium mining was removed in 2008, but there is currently a policy ban on new mines in the state.
Uranium is currently mined at three locations in Australia: Ranger in the Northern Territory, Olympic Dam in South Australia, and Beverley with Four Mile in South Australia.
Uranium has a variety of uses, including energy generation, medical treatments such as radiation therapy and x-rays, and the production of medicines for life-saving diagnosis and treatment.
