Uranium In Australia : A Detailed Timeline
1997
Compiled by the SEA-US Webmaster
December 1997
- December 16 - Gundjehmi court case begins in the Federal court, challenging the validity of the original Jabiluka mining lease.
- December 11 - Further amendment to the Roxby Indenture passed by the SA government, giving WMC control of Aboriginal Heritage over 1.5 million hectares, a vast land area extending well beyond the mine lease.
- December 10 - Recent exploration by Summit Resources and Equinox Resources at Valhalla uncovers a "spectacular orebody", with potential to be Australia's "next major uranium mine".
November 1997
- November (late) - 23 Workers exposed to sulphuric acid fumes at Olympic Dam. 70 workers go on strike.
- November 14 - Trial in-situ leach mining of uranium at Beverley approved by Rob Kerin, the SA Minister for Primary Industries, Natural Resources and Regional Development, amid scathing criticisms by environment groups.
- November 14 - ERA accepts that it has not received formal approval from the traditional owners to proceed with the preferred option for the proposed Jabiluka mine. It will now consider returning to the original Pancontinental proposal with mine and mill facilities on the site, acknowledging that more environmental work will be required.
- November 12/13 - Formal alliance between Aboriginal and Environmental groups created in Alice Springs to fight new uranium mines across Australia, especially with a view to start a network of resources for blockades (if necessary).
- November 6 - The Victorian mining industry attacks the ban on uranium exploration in Victoria.
October 1997
- October 27 - WMC's response Supplement on public comments submitted for the Olympic Dam Expansion Project EIS is released, thereby giving Federal Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, 42 days to approve the expansion.
- October 22 - Sen. Robert Hill, Federal Environment Minister, refuses to rule out Koongarra and acknowledges that the government is considering the proclamation of the Koongarra Project Area Act (1981).
- October 20 - Motion passed in the Senate condemning the government's role in approving Jabiluka.
- October 8 - Federal Resources and Energy Minister, Warwick Parer, gives the final approval for the Jabiluka project to proceed.
August 1997
- August 28 - Federal Environment Minister, Senator Robert Hill, recommends that Jabiluka can proceed under "stringent environmental constraints".
- August 25 - Media reports a recent RAAF Report on National Secutiry which recommends that Australia's long strategic defense policy to compete with China and Asia is to "GO NUCLEAR". The RAAF also admitted this would never happen.
- August 18 - Kintyre/Rudall River uranium project put on hold by Rio Tinto due to falling uranium prices and Rio Tinto restructuring.
- August 11 - The Kakadu Region Social Impact Study (KRSIS) is released - proving beyond a shadow of doubt that Aboriginla people have not benefitted from mining in the Kakadu region. It said : "Some of the worst fears of Aboriginal people of the 1970s have come to pass. Whilst conditions are neither demonstrably better, nor worse, than other Aboriginal communities in the rest of the Northern Territory, the living conditions of some of the Aboriginal communities are acceptable, but others are as of the Third World."
July 1997
- July 10 - WMC's admits leaving Yeelirrie, a contaminated trial uranium mine from the late 70s/early 80s, exposed to the public with inadequate fencing and warning signs for more than 10 years.
- July 10 - Canadian company Anaconda Uranium Corporation acquires the Ben Lomond uranium deposit from Cogema, and announces intentions for a new feasibility study, which will include "operating synergy" with Maureen.
- July 3 - Canadian company Anaconda Uranium Corporation acquires the Maureen and Newcastle Range uranium deposits from Cogema, about 300 km inland from Townsville.
June 1997
- June 17 - ERA's Supplement to the Jabiluka EIS is submitted to the Minister for the Environment, Sen. Robert Hill.
May 1997
- May 31 - Draft guidelines released for an EIS of the Beverley project.
- May 15 - Senate Select Committee on Uranium Mining and Milling ("SSCUMM") tables it's findings in the Senate, amid scathing criticism from environment and other interest groups.
- May 12 - Olympic Dam/Roxby Downs Expansion EIS publicly released, one week earlier than scheduled during budget week to minimise public interest.
- May - Mining begins at Orebody #3 at Ranger.
April 1997
- April 19-20 - Alliance Against Uranium formed between Aboriginal and Environment groups from across Australia.
January 1997
- January 31 - Submissions close for the Draft EIS of the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine.
Every attempt is made to make this timeline accurate and comprehensive, but please use carefully !!
Any questions, please email the SEA-US Webmaster.
Page last updated February 17, 2000.
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