Queensland’s Uranium Mining Implementation Committee has handed down its final report outlining how the uranium industry should be re-established in Queensland.

State Natural Resources and Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps, received 40 recommendations from the Committee, which was established late last year.

“The Committee’s report provides a blueprint for the development of a best-practice uranium mining industry in Queensland,” Mr Cripps said.

“This morning I presented the report to the Premier and my Cabinet colleagues, and the State Government will now review and consider the committee’s recommendations.

Mr Cripps was at pains to stress the industry would be re-established along world’s best practice and health and safety standards.

While uranium mining continues in South Australia and the Northern Territory, its mining has been banned in Queensland since 1989, and has not been actively mined since 1982.

Chairman of the Uranium Mining Implementation Committee, Central Highlands Councillor Paul Bell, said a well-regulated uranium mining industry would pave the way for significant economic activity in regional Queensland.

“This report makes practical recommendations about important issues including environmental management and protection, health and safety, economic and community development, and the safe transportation of uranium,” Mr Bell said.

“We are confident that the recommendations within this report not only represent best practice, but are responsive to the needs of the regions where uranium mining is most likely to take place.”

Mr Cripps said the Committee’s recommendations include:

  • A coordinated approvals process for uranium mining by referring all proposals to the Coordinator-General’s ‘coordinated project’ process
  • Assessment of uranium mines for the purposes of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 should be undertaken according to the bilateral agreement between the Queensland and Australian Governments
  • Uranium export should facilitate the use of existing ports in Darwin and Adelaide, and use existing shipping lanes
  • Specific mine safety and health guidance documentation must be developed to ensure best standards are maintained at all stages of uranium exploration, mining, and ore milling and processing
  • Environmental model conditions specific to uranium mining must be developed. 
  • The implementation of a training and business development initiative in the form of a trust arrangement with a government funding contribution to assist Indigenous Queenslanders to access benefits from uranium mining
  • The application of a five per cent royalty regime to uranium, with the possible use of a higher rate once the price of uranium reaches a certain higher threshold.  It should also offer a new mine a concessional royalty rate of 2.5 per cent for the first five years of a mine’s life.

Mr Cripps said an inter-departmental committee of senior officers from a number of State agencies would be formed to develop the State Government’s response to the Committee’s recommendations.

This group will submit a draft report to the Resources Cabinet Committee outlining an implementation strategy for the recommendations, including identification of any budget implications and necessary legislative changes,” Mr Cripps said.

According to the latest projects, the total value of Queensland’s uranium deposits are estimated to be in excess of $10 billion.

The full report can be found here

http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/assets/mines-pdf/umic-framework-report.pdf