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Category: Uranium Mining

WA Government approves uranium project despite environmental concerns

Monday, 16 Jan 2017 19:42:06

Yeelirrie, near Wiluna, is the site of Australia's largest uranium deposit.

The West Australian Government has granted environmental approval for a uranium mine, which was knocked back by the state's environmental watchdog last year.

The Government said it granted approval for Cameco's Yeelirrie mine, subject to 19 "strict conditions".

State Development Minister Bill Marmion said uranium was an important industry for Western Australia.

"Clearly, this project has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits to the state should it proceed," Mr Marmion said.

However the Environmental Protection Authority knocked back the proposal in August 2016 because it failed to meet one of the nine key environmental factors — to protect subterranean fauna.

The proposed mine in the northern Goldfields is home to tiny stygofauna and troglofauna in the groundwater.

The Environment Minister Albert Jacob, who had the final decision on the project, defended the approval in a statement and said the Government "had considered broader economic and social matters, as well as environmental factors".

He said Cameco would be required to undertake further research into the stygofauna and minimise the impact on the species.

Tiny subterranean stygofauna Photo: The Environmental Protection Authority had blocked the mine because of tiny stygofauna living in the underground water. (Supplied)

"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.

He said public appeals against the project were also considered.

"The Liberal National Government is committed to ensuring this and the other three uranium mines approved for construction and operation in Western Australia are subject to best-practice environmental and safety standards," he said.

The Yeelirrie uranium deposit is thought to be one of the highest quality uranium deposits in WA.

Canadian company Cameco sought to mine up to 7,500 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate per year from the Yeelirrie deposit, about 420 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and 70km south-west of Wiluna, and transport it by road for export through the Port of Adelaide.

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