Cameco's Yeelirrie uranium project receives approval from WA Government
Cameco’s Yeelirrie uranium project in the Goldfields region has been granted environmental approval by the Western Australian Government and is subject to 17 strict conditions. The project will consist of an open-cut mine, a metallurgical plant as well as associated facilities and infrastructure which will produce export-grade uranium concentrates.
The project’s approval was the result of a rigorous environmental assessment process, significant public consultation as well as an agreement between Environment Minister Albert Jacob and the Ministers for Water, Mines and Petroleum, Aboriginal Affairs and State Development.
According to Premier Colin Barnett, the State holds significant amount of uranium reserves and the deposit at Yeelirrie is particularly large by world standards.
“Australia has been producing and exporting uranium for peaceful purposes for more than 30 years and it is high time that Western Australia with our significant reserves, became part of that industry.
“Australia’s international treaties guarantee that uranium can only be used for peaceful purposes. We should also remember that nuclear medicine is also an important part of our health care system,” Mr Barnett said.
State Development Minister Bill Marmion said that uranium has been an important industry for the State. Mr Marmion also said that the Yeelirrie project has the potential to bring in significant benefits to Western Australia once operations proceed.
Project location map (source: Cameco Australia)
“The Liberal National Government supports a well-regulated uranium industry for the jobs and economic growth potential it provides and for the clean energy production it supports,” Mr Marmion said.
WA Environmental Minister Albert Jacob said that the State Government put into consideration a broader economic as well as social matters and environmental factors when they decided to grant approval to the project. Various conditions were applied to Cameco’s proposal, requiring the company to undertake further research and surveys in order to improve knowledge of underground fauna and measures which will minimise impacts on stygofauna and troglofauna species – small underground creatures, mostly crustaceans.
“Further surveys may identify that the species currently only found within the project area are more widespread. I have therefore mandated as part of this approval further survey work and investment in research,” Mr Jacob said.
Cameco’s Yeelirrie uranium mine in the Goldfields region is the fourth project to be approved in WA. The other three projects are Vimy Resources’ Mulga Rocks in Kalgoorlie, Toro Energy’s Wiluna development south of the town of Wiluna and Cameco’s Kintyre project in the East Pilbara. Once these approved uranium projects proceed, they will generate up to 1,500 jobs as well as a potential $1 billion annual export industry for WA.
Get the latest industry news and project updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to the PlantMiner newsletter today.
Source: Government of Western Australia and Australian Mining
Related Articles
QLD Cameby Downs coal mine expansion receives approval
The Queensland Government has given its approval to Yancoal Australia’s planned expansion on its Cameby Downs mine, which is expected to create additional jobs for the Western Downs region.
Planning starts for NSW Central Station revitalisation project
Central Station in New South Wales will soon be revitalised to make it at par with some of the grand stations around the world. According to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance, planning has begun for the 110-year-old icon’s rejuvenation project.
Alkane launches $16m capital-raise to progress Dubbo Zirconia Project
In late April, multi-commodity company Alkane Resources Ltd launched its plans to raise an estimated $16m in new capital through a pro-rata traditional non-renounceable entitlement offer to help progress the $1b Dubbo Zirconia Project. The announcement comes after the company overcame it's final hurdle in approvals in mid-March, as we reported here.
If you are wondering what all of this means, have a read through our break-down of this capital-raising announcement below.