urg::: NT 'cooperating' with uranium mine management

[Len Kanaar - FoE Sydney]

ABC

Last Update: Thursday, September 8, 2005. 7:24am (AEST)
NT 'cooperating' with uranium mine management

Federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane says uranium exports have 
brought an extra $32 million into the Northern Territory economy in 
the last financial year.

He says the NT Government has moved on from the spat in which he 
seized control of approving new uranium mines a month ago.

Mr Macfarlane says he does not expect further political wrangling to 
derail the Territory's uranium industry, which has blossomed in 
recent weeks, with 25 companies now exploring for the mineral.

The Minister says the NT Government has indicated it will cooperate.

"I think they've made it clear that they wish to remain involved in 
the day-to-day management of mines, that's certainly something I'd 
support," he said.

"So I think it that whilst we'll continue to have differences about 
the approvals process, I think it is a case of getting on with 
business from both sides, the Northern Territory Government and the 
Commonwealth Government."

Mr Macfarlane says there will still be five new mines within 10 years 
even if only one-in-five of the companies currently looking for 
uranium are successful.


© 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation