Traditional Owners say no to Jabiluka Mine; they must be heard

Recent media reports pushing for the development of the Jabiluka uranium prospect near Kakadu National Park are alarming and misleading. Traditional Owners, and the NLC, staunchly oppose uranium mining on Mirarr Country.

We call on both the Northern Territory and federal governments to hear the voices of the Traditional Owners and to put an end to the uncertainty. The Jabiluka mineral lease extension application sought by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) must be rejected and the area given heritage protection.

Mirarr Traditional Owners assert that Jabiluka is sacred Country and that they will always say no to uranium mining. Recent history clearly shows us that the risks are too great, and that mining puts this area, encircled by National Park of universal significance, in grave jeopardy.

Despite ERA pursuing an extension to 2034, the Northern Territory government (NTG) has committed to a two-year temporary reservation order over the Jabiluka mineral lease. Coming into effect on August 11, this order limits what ERA can do with its current lease until its extension application is resolved. Yet it is imperative that the NTG and the Federal Minister for Resources be decisive, as speculation by minority interests is misguiding ERA’s shareholders and the Australian public.

The NLC together with the Mirarr refute claims recently publicised by NT News and Sky News, stating that because Jabiluka is an underground mine it would be less ecologically damaging than the disaster that is the adjacent open-cut Ranger Uranium Mine – operated by ERA until its closure in 2021.

Ranger continues to cause long-lasting damage to surrounding ecosystems and remains a painful reminder of the environmental risks posed by uranium mining. Further, we clarify that the rehabilitation of Ranger is in no way complete, with meager, under-funded efforts having been ultimately unsuccessful over the past three years.

Traditional Owners oppose mining Jabiluka and will continue to rally to protect their Country. In 1998 this battle captivated the nation, when over five thousand people assembled in Kakadu to join a blockade. The effort resulted in a commitment from Rio Tinto (currently a majority owner of ERA) that a Jabiluka mine would not proceed without Traditional Owner consent.

In 2024, there is still no consent. The promises need to be honoured and governments need to listen.

Quotes attributable to NLC Chair Matthew Ryan:

"The NLC stands firmly behind the Mirarr Traditional Owners in their fight to protect Jabiluka. The cultural and environmental significance of this sacred Country cannot be overstated, and any mining is a direct threat to both."

"We call on the Territory and Federal governments to listen to the voices of the Traditional Owners and take immediate action to ensure the permanent protection of Jabiluka and Kakadu. The world is watching, and this land must be preserved for all future generations."