A long drive through Kakadu tests Rio Tinto's uranium pact
The Rio subsidiary that operates Ranger, ERA, has confirmed that one of the vehicles used at the mine was taken out of controlled areas, sparking contamination fears from the Mirrar people who live nearby.
Police are investigating the incident, which took place without the consent of ERA management in the early hours of Sunday morning, and which some believe could amount to a breach of the company's authorisation to mine.
Like all uranium mines, Ranger operates under strict conditions in a bid to ensure that dangerous levels of uranium do not contaminate the nearby area.
ERA said the car - which was supposed to remain inside the mine at all times - had been checked and was "free of contamination", and that the matter had been referred to police.
But Justin O'Brien, who represents the Mirrar people, said it had caused great concern among the local community.
"We think it is very serious that you could take potentially contaminated material from an operational mine site, avoid all scrutiny, leave the mine site with it and then be found down the highway," he said. "There needs to be a broader inquiry into how on earth this could happen in the first place."
ERA's relationship with the Mirrar people is crucial to its survival, given it has agreed not to restart mining at Ranger without approval from the group. Ranger ceased operating as an open cut mine last year, and its only future lies in winning approval to become an underground mine in coming years.
The highly prospective and nearby Jabiluka uranium deposit will also not be mined until the Mirrar give their full support, something that appears highly unlikely to occur any time soon.
The Mirrar people had recently spoken of their improving relationship with ERA and Rio Tinto, which was given a boost in September when ERA installed a $220 million water purification system on site.
But Mr O'Brien said incidents like the one on the weekend did not help Rio's chances of winning further approvals. "It can only stress the relationship, it can only challenge the relationship and the test is how the company responds to this in terms of its management of the investigation and its response with the contractor," he said.
"It's frustrating. One feels as if you take a step forward and then you are dragged two steps back."
Australian Conservation Foundation spokesman Dave Sweeney said it was not the first time breaches had occurred at Ranger, and it was now time for Rio Tinto to "reconsider the project".
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
A safety breach occurred when a vehicle was taken out of controlled areas at the Ranger uranium mine, causing contamination fears among the local Mirrar people.
A safety breach occurred when a vehicle was taken out of controlled areas at the Ranger uranium mine, raising contamination concerns among the local Mirrar people.
The incident has strained the relationship, as the Mirrar people are concerned about potential contamination and the lack of scrutiny in the mine's operations.
The Mirrar people expressed great concern over the incident, as it involved potentially contaminated material leaving the mine site without proper scrutiny.
ERA confirmed that the vehicle involved in the incident was checked and found to be free of contamination, and the matter has been referred to the police for investigation.
The relationship is crucial because Rio Tinto's subsidiary, ERA, needs the Mirrar people's approval to restart mining operations at the Ranger site and to potentially mine the Jabiluka uranium deposit.
The relationship is crucial because ERA has agreed not to restart mining at Ranger without the Mirrar people's approval, and future mining projects depend on their support.
ERA installed a $220 million water purification system at the Ranger site, which had previously improved relations with the Mirrar people.
The incident could hinder future mining projects, as the Mirrar people's support is essential for restarting mining at Ranger and beginning operations at the Jabiluka deposit.
The breach could stress and challenge the relationship with the Mirrar people, potentially affecting future approvals for mining operations.
ERA had installed a $220 million water purification system on site, which had previously improved relations with the Mirrar people.
The Ranger mine ceased operating as an open-cut mine last year, and its future depends on gaining approval to transition to an underground mine.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has noted that this is not the first breach at Ranger and suggests that Rio Tinto should reconsider the project.
Mining at the Jabiluka deposit is on hold until the Mirrar people give their full support, which seems unlikely in the near future.
Rio Tinto's response to the incident, including its management of the investigation and interactions with contractors, will be crucial in determining the future of its operations and relationship with the Mirrar people.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has noted that this is not the first breach at Ranger and suggested that Rio Tinto reconsider the project.
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