PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian Uranium Association (AUA) on Tuesday said that the uranium-mining industry was throwing off the “artificial constraints” that had limited its growth in recent decades.

AUA CEO Michael Angwin urged uranium miners and explorers to seize the opportunities now emerging as uranium mining begins to enjoy a “new status” as a resources industry.

He said that a combination of positive international and local factors were helping establish uranium-fuelled nuclear power as a vital component of the global energy portfolio and a growing segment of the Australian minerals industry.

“The industry promises strong growth in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Extreme political positions hinder the development of uranium mining in Queensland and New South Wales, and these will not be able to survive the international pressures driving demand for new sources of uranium supply,” Angwin said.

Nothing illustrated the growing international acceptance of uranium-fuelled nuclear energy more clearly than US President Barack Obama’s recent endorsement of nuclear power as an energy essential for the US and the world, he said.

Last month, the US President said expanding nuclear power was essential to meet energy needs and prevent the worst consequences of climate change.

Obama announced loan guarantees for the first new nuclear power plants to be built in the US for 30 years, telling nuclear opponents, “we can’t keep on being mired in the same old stale debates”.

Angwin said that Obama’s comments reflected the views of several international leaders who saw nuclear power as a ‘must-have’ energy source.

In Australia, uranium mining now has bipartisan national political support, reflecting majority public support as indicated by successive attitude surveys. High standards of industry performance in environment, health and safety matters were reinforcing greater community trust and acceptance, Angwin said.

The AUA was working to enhance this even further by improving relations with indigenous landowners and addressing issues of general public concern through the association’s stewardship programme.

“The industry must continue to demonstrate that our performance is the world’s best,” he said.

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