Australia has lifted a decade-long ban on uranium mining in its Queensland state on Monday. The ban was lifted citing rekindled interest in the nuclear fuel.
Campbell Newman, Premier of Queensland said, "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,"
With Australia's PM Julia Gillard giving the go-ahead to exports to India and the ban being lifted on uranium it will mean that the demands of Indian nuclear reactors will be met. With India focusing on nuclear power and other sources for energy in future, this is a welcome step.
Uranium has not been dug in Queensland since the year 1982. In 1989 the state government outlawed uranium mining in the area.
"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," Newman added.
Estimated worth of Queensland's uranium deposits is Aus$10 billion (US $10.3 billion). Though Australi has the world's largest uranium reserves, it is still the world's 3rd biggest uranium producer next to Kazakhstan and Canada.
|
|
Comments:
