A controversial uranium mine site is set to be incorporated into Kakadu National Park after its owners failed to renew their mining lease.
Calls are being made again for a uranium mine to be developed at the Jabiluka site in the Northern Territory. In a rare public interview, Richard Magidas, the company’s second-largest shareholder with a lease on the site, argues that the Jabiluka mine should be used to help combat climate change. Traditional owners say they want to incorporate sacred land into Kakadu National Park.
Premier Anthony Albanese is due to announce the addition of Gabiluka to Kakadu National Park on Saturday, after the Northern Territory government confirmed it would not renew the Gabiluka mineral lease on federal government advice.
Australian energy company Resources has not been granted a renewal of the lease for the Jabiluka uranium mine in Kakadu National Park.
Although the mineral site has never been mined, the mineral lease for the site expires on August 11.
This comes after decades of uncertainty about the project for the traditional owners of Mirar who wanted to protect Extensive rock art, shelters and paintings are preserved at Jabeluka, about 250 metres east of Darwin.
These discovered items are among the longest historical records of any group of humans on Earth.
“I am pleased to announce that our Government will work with traditional owners to make Jabeluka part of Kakadu National Park, once and for all,” Mr Albanese will tell the NSW Labor conference.
“This means that there will never be any mining in Jabaluka.
The Mirar people have loved and cared for their land for more than 60,000 years.
“Our government will work with them to keep him safe forever.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would protect Jabeluka. Photo: NewsWire/Nikki Short
Energy Resources Australia has had a mining licence since 1991 for the site surrounding Kakadu National Park but was not previously included in it.
Mr Albanese will explain how he has worked with Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to discuss with Merar leaders and representatives over the past 18 months about securing the site.
“They were seeking assurance that there would be no uranium mining on their land,” Mr Albanese says.
“When Yvonne Margarola, the traditional owner of the Mirar area, wrote to me, she spoke of the opportunity to ‘finally be free from the threat of further uranium mining in Kakadu’.
This beautiful part of Australia is home to some of the oldest rock art in the world.
“Here, in 2017, archaeologists discovered axes and sharpening tools dating back tens of thousands of years.
“A testament to the extraordinary and enduring connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to our land.
“A reminder of the extraordinary privilege each of us has to share this continent with the oldest continuous culture in the world.”
It was singer and activist Peter Garrett who led a campaign with traditional miraars to prevent the construction of the Jabeluka mine in 1998.
Mr Albanese says the government and the people of Mirar have come a long way to secure Jabeluka.
“In 1991, despite pressure even from within his own government, Bob Hawke moved to stop uranium mining in Kakadu National Park,” he says.
“In 2013, the Gillard Government, at the express wishes of traditional owner Jeffrey Lee of the Duke clan, passed legislation to protect his people’s land by adding Kongara to the national park.
“I remember Bob Hawke and Jeffrey Lee sitting together in Parliament on the day the law was passed.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the mining regulator said the decision not to renew the $90 million mining lease poses further risk to the interests of the Mirar people.
“The decision is disappointing and increases the likelihood that the site will be developed without the consent of its traditional owners, the Merar tribe,” he said.
“Under the lease arrangements entered into by the Natural Resources Regulatory Authority, Jabeluka cannot be developed without the consent of the traditional owners of the Merar tribe.
“The development veto expires once the lease expires. In the absence of lease arrangements put in place by the Energy Regulator, potential development of the site will be in the hands of future governments.”
Mr Albanese will also take the opportunity on Saturday to thank Ms Burney for her dedication to securing the site, after she announced this week that she will not contest her seat at next year’s federal election.
“I would like to pay tribute to someone who put his heart and soul into turning those respectful words into actions for national progress,” he says.
Minister Linda Burney confirms she will retire at next election. Photo: NewsWire/Nikki Short
“A pioneer in his field, an inspiration, and a strong advocate for the rights of First Nations peoples.
“A person of great warmth and great strength, he faced every challenge with courage and grace.
And a dear friend to whom we all wish every happiness in the future: Linda Burney.
Linda’s approach was characterized by respect, listening and collaboration.
“Do things with communities, not for them.
“And today, there is a fitting final chapter in this story.”
