No extension to Jabiluka mineral lease

The Jabiluka uranium deposit was discovered in the early 1970s and, with resources of more than 130,000 tU3O8 (110,240 tU), is one of the world's largest high-grade uranium deposits. Jabiluka is also a site of international cultural heritage significance, containing extensive rock art galleries of World Heritage significance as well as sacred sites and the archaeological site of the oldest known human occupation in Australia.

A mining lease was granted in 1982. ERA purchased the Jabiluka lease from Pancontinental in 1991, and some development work began with the construction of an access decline excavation around the orebody, but mining was subsequently deferred and in 2005, the Mirarr and ERA formally agreed that mining may only proceed with the written consent of the Mirarr Traditional Owners.

In March, ERA - majority owned by mining giant Rio Tinto - applied for a 10-year lease renewal on the Jabiluka uranium mine, but stressed it had no plans to develop the deposit. At that time, it said renewing the lease was the best way to preserve the mining veto and Jabiluka's cultural heritage.

The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the Mirarr Traditional Owners, had publicly expressed its intention to oppose both the renewal and development of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease.

"Based on advice from the Federal Government, the Jabiluka Mineral Lease will not be renewed," said a statement from Northern Territory's Minister for Mining Mark Monaghan. "As the Mineral Lease relates to a prescribed substance, uranium, there are strict regularity requirements in place, and all proper processes have been followed by the NT and Commonwealth Governments to come to this decision."

In May, the Northern Territory Government announced that a Reserved Land area would prevent any future applications for the grant of a mineral title over the Jabiluka area once the lease ceases. The Reserved Land area will come into effect at the cessation of the Mineral Lease, due to expire on 11 August this year, meaning while this Reserved Land area is in place applications for a grant of any mineral title will not be allowed.

ERA said it "is disappointed with the decision and assessing the options available".

Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation welcomed the decision not to extend the Jabiluka mining lease, saying the decision "ensures that no mining will happen at Jabiluka, ending a decades-long fight by Mirarr and their supporters".

It noted the next steps for government will be to seek inclusion in the World Heritage estate and to work with Mirarr to establish a new set of arrangements to incorporate the area into the surrounding Kakadu National Park.

"It's a hugely significant day for the Mirarr and for all Australians," said Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation CEO Thalia van den Boogaard. "Jabiluka will never be mined and the internationally significant natural and cultural value of the site is finally being recognised and will now be protected. The Mirarr and their supporters have been steadfast in their opposition to this mining project for over four decades. Now the job starts of caring for Jabiluka as the heritage of all Australians."