Queensland Mines Ltd (QML) owned and operated the former Narbalek uranium mine, on a small but high grade uranium deposit, in Arnhem Land, NT. They were also one of the principal exploration companies during the 1950’s and late 1960’s. It is 100% owned by Pioneer International Ltd, an Australian construction products and materials giant. Although Pioneer have a small investment in mining, it is generally ancillary to their "core business", and the Nabarlek Project was even more unusual. Pioneer also has an interest in providing capital infrastructure, raw materials, transport, fuel and lubricants; to other uranium miners. Pioneer Aggregates (UK) is the consistent target of environmental protestors. The Nabarlek mine is consistently portrayed as a perfect example of an environmentally responsible and well operated uranium mine. The facts speak otherwise - there were significant tree kills in the project area due to mining and mill operations, groundwater was impacted and the tailings were difficult to rehabilitate, plus radiological issues.Since the Nabarlek mine was one of the "Three" mines allowed under Labour, when the mill finished the original orebody in 1988, the mill was placed on a care-and-maintenance basis and intense exploration was undertaken to find another uranium orebody and sustain the mill. No new orebody was found and by 1994 QML began final decommissioning of the Nabarlek site. They are still continuing exploration around Arnhem Land, in JV with Cameco and others, although details remain scarce. Indeed, based on the recent Register of Australian Mining 1999/00, QML aren't even listed on any uranium exploration prospect across Australia. Seen the light perhaps ? Let's hope hey.
Queensland Mines Ltd ceased trading during the 1997-98 financial year and all staff were retrenched. The responsibility for the Narbarlek site has reverted to the local office of their parent company, Pioneer Internaional Ltd. (1)
Directors : Unknown Contacts : Sydney, NSW 2000 (Registered Office, exact address unknown) State/Country : New South Wales, Australia ACN : 008-407-627 Uranium Prospects : Currently none known. Other Websites : The Gulliver File - Queensland Mines Ltd Dossier
References Mudd (1998).
1 - Supervising Scientist Annual Report 1997-98 (within the Annual Report for Environment Australia 1997-98).
Last updated November 21, 1999.
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