Yeelirrie Uranium mining deposit blocked by EPA
Proposals for the largest Uranium deposit in Australia, the Yeerlirrie Uranium Deposit, have taken a blow as the Environmental Protection Agency found there was “too much risk to the areas subterranean fauna.”
Cameco Australia, the Canadian owners of the mine, had proposed to mine up to 7,500 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate per year at the deposit, but the mine could not meet a key environmental factors.
EPA Chairman Tom Hatton said: "The project happens to be located in a particular place that is very rich in underground, stygofauna we call it, the animals that live in the groundwater,"
"And in the case of three of those species in particular, the risk to their viability as a species was just too great for us to recommend the project go ahead.”
In a statement, Cameco said it believed it could overcome the EPA's concerns.
"We believe that with further sampling and research, subterranean fauna can be appropriately managed at Yeelirrie and we will work with government agencies and stakeholders to find a way forward," Cameco Australia managing director Brian Reilly said.
"Cameco believes the long-term fundamentals of the nuclear industry are strong and we are taking prudent steps to prepare our uranium projects for improved market conditions.
Read the July issue of Mining Global Magazine!
Be sure to follow @MiningGlobal for news and latest updates.
