STATE GOVT WELCOMES MOVES ON URANIUM

22 May, 2009. Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today welcomed reports that BHP Billiton was moving to develop the $17billion Yeelirrie uranium deposit, 500km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

“The Liberal Party had an election policy of developing this State’s rich uranium resources, creating jobs and building our economy,” Mr Moore said. “Since forming Government, we have lifted the previous ban on mining uranium and seen a resultant resurgence in interest in developing this valuable resource, which has the huge potential to create jobs and wealth for Western Australia.”

Currently WA has 5-8% of the Australia’s identified uranium deposits, but with the lifting of the ban of mining of uranium in WA, this figure is expected to grow with increased exploration. Since the ban on mining was overturned, at least five uranium development projects in the state are being actively pursued, with the Yeelirrie uranium deposit the first to publicly announced.

The WA government reiterated its policy that the most stringent health and safety measures and the world’s best practice environmental standards will apply to any proposed uranium developments and to the handling and transportation of yellowcake.