The Queensland Government has announced it will convene a three-member implementation committee to oversee the recommencement of uranium mining in the state.

 

Premier Campbell Newman said the decision to resume uranium mining had been made following ‘sustained public debate’, and that the State Government had taken the lead from strong support for the uranium industry from the Federal Governmnet.

 

“The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has just been in India selling the benefits of Australian-produced uranium to India, prompting many in the community to ask about the industry’s potential in Queensland,” Mr Newman said.

 

“It’s been 30 years since there was uranium mining in this State, and in that time Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia have carved out successful uranium industries that deliver jobs and prosperity to their regions.”

 

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said with Queensland’s known uranium deposits worth an estimated $10 billion, the industry has enormous potential to support economic growth, particularly in regional North Queensland.

 

Minister Cripps said the State Government would not consider nuclear energy production or nuclear waste disposal plants in Queensland as part of the recommencement of uranium mining.

 

The committee will report back to the Government within three months.