Antinuclear

Built on the faultlines of environmental and indigenous land rights policy, Ranger is at a defining moment. It has provided fuel to nuclear power stations of the world but the end of its working life is in doubt.

The end of mining at Ranger would be cause for celebration for some.

Environmentalists have long despaired at a mine so close to one of the nation’s most famous national parks.

The fact Ranger produces uranium – the radioactive nature of which can be dangerous in certain circumstances – has only turbo-charged the opposition.

“The exploitation of uranium within the World Heritage property of Kakadu National Park, effectively against the current wishes of significant traditional owners and others, is a historical aberration and ought to finish as soon as possible,” former environment minister Peter Garrett said.

Mr Garrett was minister when ERA was granted permission  to conduct further exploration at Ranger. His decision was constrained to ruling on matters relevant to a certain environmental act.

The process for environmental approvals for the development of the mine is ongoing under a new government but Garrett said Ranger had been a blot on the landscape since day one.

Most affected over the past 37 years have been the indigenous Mirarr people, whose traditional lands have hosted the mine………

With an ancient culture that places special importance on the land, the construction of several huge mining pits was distressing for the Mirarr people.

The fact that a 1977 act of Parliament allowed mining to go ahead on Mirarr lands without their express consent – despite the same act giving a right of veto to most of the nation’s other indigenous groups – only entrenched the feeling of dispossession and resistance to the mine.

“There hasn’t been a great history of fairness or equity here. Mining was imposed upon people and it marginalised people,”  said Justin O’Brien, the chief executive of the Mirarr’s modern corporate organisation, the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation…..

The Mirrar might be asked soon to approve a mine extension at Ranger. ERA has spent the past three years evaluating a new undergound mine that would operate until 2021, when the licence expires. It if wanted a new licence it would have to apply for one.

Mr O’Brien said it was too early to say if Mirarr elders would give their consent should ERA decided the underground project was viable………..

A precedent for refusing the cash exists nearby. Traditional owner of Koongarra, Jeffery Lee, turned his back on millions of dollars worth of royalties from French uranium miner Areva. Instead he had his land absorbed into the national park……..

Confidence at the crossroad

While some remote communities face poverty and unemployment when a local mine shuts, the Mirarr are confident they can thrive in the modern economy when mining eventually does leave town.

With Kakadu on their doorstep, tourism is already an established industry, and the Mirarr run a handful of small businesses in the region focused on the tourist dollar. ……..

Mr O’Brien stressed that tourism wasn’t the Mirarr’s only option beyond mining, with land management also a big opportunity.

Investigations into carbon farming in Kakadu suggest 35 to 50 jobs could be created in that industry, while the Mirarr are also optimistic about the trend for indigenous rangers to be spread through the national park in land-caring and maintenance roles.

“There are many social co-benefits that come with that sort of work in terms of working on country and they are long articulated,” Mr O’Brien said……..http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/uranium-mining-in-kakadu-at-a-crucial-point-20141128-11vmr3.html