Uranium in Western Australia

Western Australia has considerable resources of uranium, but to date there has been no commercial mining in the state.^[1]

Mining proposals

Quarterly expenditure ($millions) on exploration for uranium in Western Australia since 1988

Mining in the Wiluna-Leinster area

Two uranium mining projects in the state are closer to production, the 750 tonne U₃O₈ Lake Maitland project, pursued by Mega Uranium, and the 680 tonne U₃O₈ Centipede–Lake Way project undertaken by Toro Energy, located at Lake Way.^[2][3]

Deposits

Major development projects include:^[4]

• Yeelirrie, Wiluna (Cameco)
• Kintyre, Telfer (Cameco and Mitsubishi Corp)
• Mulga Rock, Pinjin (Vimy Resources)^[5]
• Lake Way - Wiluna (Toro Energy)^[6]
• Lake Maitland, Wiluna (Toro Energy)^[6]
• Nyang, Learmonth (Paladin Energy)
• Manyingee, Onslow (Paladin Energy)
• Oobagooma, Derby (Marenica Energy)
• Dawson Hinkler Well, Wiluna (Toro Energy)
• Thatcher Soak (Marenica Energy)
• Hillview, Meekatharra (Encounter)

Public opposition

There has been some opposition to uranium and nuclear industries in WA, especially since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, including anti-uranium campaigns from the Conservation Council of Western Australia, Nuclear-Free Alliance, and the Anti-Nuclear Alliance.^[7] In the past WA Greens leader Giz Watson and Labor MP Sally Talbot have spoken out against uranium mining, nuclear power and radioactive waste disposal in WA.^[8][9]

See also

• List of uranium projects
• Uranium mining in Australia
• Anti-nuclear movement in Australia