Antinuclear

Facts on Western Australia uranium mining proposals

Fact File: http://www.ccwa.org.au/faults_exposed_with_mulga_rock_uranium_proposal

• Since the WA Government lifted the ban on uranium over seven years ago not one uranium proposal has attained final approval to begin mine construction.
• The recent SA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission preliminary findings found that “significant barriers to the viability of new uranium mine developments in South Australia” including the “current low price of uranium and uncertainty about the timing of any price increases” – a finding with direct relevance for WA
• Australian uranium production has been in decline since 2009

• In 2014-2015 the Australian uranium industry employed just 987 people nationally
• The uranium spot price is currently $32.15
• Nuclear energy contributes just 4.4% of the global energy mix
• Renewable energy contributes 6% of the global energy mix with a growth rate of

12%

• There are 62 reactors under construction worldwide – of these 47 are experiencing construction and commissioning delays.
• Globally over 130 reactors have operated for over 30 years – nearing their lifespan. 54 of those reactors have operated beyond their designed life span of 40 years. These reactors are required to be decommissioned and the industry will struggle to maintain its shrinking market share.
• There is no state bi-partisan political support for uranium mining in WA

March 27, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | uranium, Western Australia