NSW moves a step closer to uranium mining

Two years after NSW overturned a uranium exploration ban, six companies have been invited to apply for exploration licences.

While mining uranium is still restricted, Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said uranium exploration will assist the NSW Government to better understand the extent of the state’s reserves and any potential economic benefits.

“Companies that apply for and are granted an exploration licence will only be allowed to perform low-impact exploration and environmental monitoring. Any other activities will require further approvals,” Roberts said. “They’ve got six months to put a licence application in and then we’ll move on to the next step of ensuring that drilling practises and so forth are stringently modelled and controlled.”

The six companies invited to apply for licenses are Australian Zirconia, Callabonna Resources, EJ Resources, Hartz Rare Earths, Iluka Resources and Marmota Energy. Three locations have been earmarked for drilling activity - near Broken Hill, near Cobar and south of Dubbo.

Australia has the largest uranium reserves in the world - approximately 33% of the global resource. Currently, uranium exploration and mining are allowed in South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.