PERTH (miningweekly.com) – New South Wales has lifted a ban on uranium exploration – a move industry representatives welcomed on Wednesday.

Premier Barry O’Farrell said on Tuesday evening that it was time for New South Wales to join the mining boom, which was delivering “enormous profits” and job opportunities in the states of Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.

“We want to be part of the boom. The first step is to establish the size, quality and location of any potential uranium deposits in New South Wales,” he said.

“We are not about to rush into mining uranium until we have carried out the necessary environmental and exploration checks, and have had a mature and sensible discussion about using this resource, but we would be crazy not to look at whether this is a viable industry which would deliver jobs and revenue to New South Wales.”

With the lifting of the uranium exploration ban in New South Wales, the state of Victoria would remain the only Australian state where it would be illegal to prospect for yellow cake.

O’Farrell’s decision has been lauded by industry bodies, with the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) saying that the decision was based on science and factual evidence, and would generate new opportunities for the state’s mining and exploration industries.

“It is important to note that this decision in itself will not lead to uranium being mined in New South Wales. Exploration is exactly that – exploration. There are many steps to go before New South Wales has an operational mine,” said Amec CEO Simon Bennison.

He noted that only a very small percentage of targets, uranium or otherwise, lead to a mining development, adding that there was no certainty that there were in fact economic uranium deposits in New South Wales.

The New South Wales Minerals Council said on Wednesday, that the decision to allow uranium exploration brought the state in line with other states and territories, where uranium exploration was already permitted.

“We support the responsible exploration and scientific discovery of all the state’s mineral resources, including uranium,” said Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee.

“A number of other states already allow the exploration of uranium and the federal government has recently updated its policy position to permit exports to India for energy generation. This is likely to generate some debate and we would like to see a reasonable discussion about the science,” said Galilee.

He added that any uranium explorers permitted to operate in New South Wales under the new laws would have to work to the highest standards within strict environmental criteria.

OPPOSITION

However, the decision to lift the ban on uranium exploration was also facing severe criticism from New South Wales opposition leader John Robertson.

“The people of New South Wales didn’t vote for O’Farrell so that he would dig up uranium in their backyards,” he said on Wednesday.

Robertson called on O’Farrell to abandon the change in legislation, saying it was the first step in establishing a fully fledged uranium mining industry in New South Wales.

“No government grants permission for major mining companies to explore for resources, unless they have an intention of approving mines down the track. O’Farrell has rolled out the red carpet for the uranium mining multinationals today, and sent a message that they will have free reign in New South Wales.”

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.