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In 1977 the Aboriginal opposition to the Ranger Uranium proposal was overridden with the words "their opposition shall not be allowed to prevail"

Our people were told that the rest of Australia wanted uranium mining within Kakadu National Park. Two decades later and the voices of the Mirrar are again drowned by corporate and government ineptitude and marginalising processes.

We welcome your help to spread this story before it becomes history.

Above information was taken directly from the Mirrar's website at www.mirrar.net/

 

"We will fight to protect our Country. That is a fact of life" - Yvonne Margarula, Mirrar Senior Traditional Owner. (Photo: Mirrar delegation in London) The Mirrar protest outside the mine, 1997. This is what they want to mine for uranium.		Action For more background and campaign actions visit the Northern Territory Environment Center site: NT Environment Center and the Mirrar Peoples homepage: www.mirrar.net Other external links Have your say! Australian Senate Inquiry into Environmental Regulation of Uranium Mining. Media releases from Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation (Mirrar People) Referral of Ranger contamination incident to Northern Territory Department of Justice 19 May 2004 - Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation - The Mirarr Traditional Aboriginal Owners of the Ranger uranium mine welcome the decision by the Northern Territory Minister for Mines and Energy to refer the March 2004 Ranger process water contamination incident to the Department of Justice for likely prosecution. Mirrar welcome NLC endorsement of Jabiluka agreement 22 April 2004 - Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation - The traditional Aboriginal owners of the site of the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine, the Mirrar People, today welcomed the decision by the Full Council of the Northern Land Council to ratify the Jabiluka Long-Term Care and Maintenance Agreement between the Mirrar, Energy Resources of Australia and the NLC. Uranium contamination spreads 26 March 2004 - The Ranger uranium mine remains closed following the discovery overnight that some 150,000 litres of water contaminated with uranium levels estimated at 108 parts per billion (five times the Australian drinking water standard) spilled from the Jabiru East water supply off the mine site. This incident has exposed the surrounding environment, the drinking water of businesses based at Jabiru East and downstream Aboriginal communities to an unprecedented threat. Mirrar welcome Senate report, call for discussion of recommendations 15 October 2003 - The Traditional Owners of the Jabiluka and Ranger uranium mine areas in Kakadu National Park, the Mirrar People, today welcomed the Senate inquiry report into the environmental regulation of uranium mining, claiming it vindicates long-held concerns. The report was tabled in the Senate last night. Kakadu Traditional Owners call for Rio action on Jabiluka 29 April 2003 - The Traditional Owners of the Jabiluka uranium mine area in Kakadu National Park, the Mirrar People, today reiterated their call on mining giant Rio Tinto to give legal effect to commitments by chairperson Sir Robert Wilson that Jabiluka would not be developed without Mirrar consent. The call follows reports today that Rio subsidiary Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) will not be drawn into signing any contract enforcing Aboriginal authority over Jabiluka. Mirrar call for agreement on Jabiluka 5 December 2002 - The Traditional Owners of the site of the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine in Kakadu, the Mirrar People, have called on mining company Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) to enter into an agreement with the Northern Land Council to give legal effect to the company's commitment to not develop the Jabiluka project without the full consent of Traditional Owners. Government lets ERA off the hook for Kakadu leak 26 September, 2002 - The Traditional Owners of the Ranger uranium mine, the Mirrar People, today expressed their profound disappointment that the Commonwealth Government has again refused to sanction Kakadu uranium miner ERA for environmental mismanagement. Troubled Rio Tinto must rehabilitate Jabiluka September 4, 2002 - The Senior Traditional Owner of the Mirrar People of Kakadu National Park, Yvonne Margarula, today reaffirmed her opposition to the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine, following the release of a transcript of interview on BBC World (Hard Talk) with Rio Tinto Chairman, Sir Robert Wilson. No half measures at Jabiluka:Traditional Owners March 26, 2001- The Mirrar people of Kakadu today called on Rio Tinto to commit to the closure of the Jabiluka uranium mine project and return the Jabiluka mineral lease to its traditional owners. Rio's mining rhetoric to fall on deaf ears March 14, 2001- The Mirrar people of Kakadu today roundly condemned comments by Rio Tinto CEO Leigh Clifford that the company may develop the controversial Jabiluka uranium mine. Spokesperson for the Mirrar, Jacqui Katona, said the company has demonstrated a poor understanding of its legal obligations to the Traditional Owners and will receive a poor response from the international community. World Heritage Committee's grave concern leads to 18 month suspension at Jabiluka July 13, 1999 - The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has found that the Jabiluka uranium mine poses serious negative impact to the values of Kakadu National Park
Media Clips Call to prosecute uranium miner 20 May 2004 - Mining giant Energy Resources of Australia should be prosecuted after drinking water at its controversial Ranger mine became contaminated with uranium, a Northern Territory Government report has found. • Inquiry into leak at uranium mine finds more problems: minister SA files court appeal against nuclear waste dump 11 May - The South Australian Government is appealing the Commonwealth government's compulsory purchase of land for the low level radioactive waste repository, arguing it used urgency provisions inappropriately. Aborigines get Jabiluka veto April 22, 2004 - Traditional Aboriginal owners signed off on a historic agreement ending their long struggle against the controversial Jabiluka uranium mine. The landmark deal gives the owners the right to veto the future development of the site in the heart of Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. Rio’s uranium contamination scare grows as indigenous group calls for regulatory overhaul 14 April 2004 - Ethical Corporation World News - The uranium contamination scare at Rio Tinto subsidiary Energy Resources Australia has intensified following allegations of more contaminations at the company’s Ranger uranium oxide mine in northern Australia. Agreement between Rio Tinto subsidiary and traditional owners over uranium mine 7 April 2004 - Ethical Corporation Asia News - Energy Resources Australia reaches agreement with land owners regarding the controversial Jabiluka mine in the country. Uranium drinkers say mine cut them loose April 5, 2004 - Australia's biggest uranium miner has gone into damage control 12 days after workers drank large quantities of water containing 400 times the legal limit of uranium following a leak at the Ranger mine in Kakadu National Park. Three of the men say they have been suffering from vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy and were forced to pay their own way to leave the Northern Territory to seek medical treatment in their home state. Fencing Off Kakadu March 29, 2004 - Time Pacific - A swimming ban at a popular spot sets off fears of a park lock-up and divides tour operators and owners. Uranium mine in Australian national park is closed after uranium is detected in water supply March 25, 2004 - Associated Press - A uranium mine in the middle of a pristine heritage-listed national park in northern Australia was temporarily shut down Wednesday after tests revealed increased levels of uranium in its water supply, the mine's operator announced. ERA closed the Ranger mine in Kakadu National Park after the higher-than-usual levels were found late Tuesday in water used by mine staff for drinking and showering.   Aborigines join Gorleben nuclear protest November 7, 2003 - Two Aborigine women whose people were contaminated by radiation from an atomic bomb detonated in southern Australia in 1953 will join a German anti-nuclear protest next week, organisers said. Tourism site is a blast 9 October 2003 - Reuters - Aboriginal community leaders on Thursday presented their plans to federal officials to turn a remote Australian wilderness site once used by Britain for nuclear testing into a tourist attraction. Mining companies vow not to mine in world heritage areas 21 August 2003 - In an environmental coup, 15 of the world's biggest mining companies have vowed not to mine in world heritage areas .. such as the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu. While the pledge has been welcomed by most conservationists, some are still sceptical. Landmark 'no-go' pledge from leading mining companies 20 August 2003 - International Council on Mining and Metals - Corporate membership of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) - comprised of 15 of the world's largest mining and metal producing companies – has signed an undertaking to recognise existing World Heritage properties as 'no-go' areas. NT okays Jabiluka clean-up 1 August 2003 - The Northern Territory government has given the go-ahead for a clean- up of the controversial Jabiluka uranium mine, ending a long row which pitted conservation groups and Aboriginal people against mining company ERA. Black veto on buried Jabiluka 9 July, 2003 - Rio Tinto has decided to bury its controversial Jabiluka uranium mine and also plans to sign an agreement to give the traditional owners an unprecedented right to veto any future development at the site. Aborigines outraged but miners say yes, put it in our backyard 29 April 2003 - The Guardian (UK) - The Australian government is completing its examination of two outback sites, 25 miles apart, for its first nuclear waste repository. The news, released this week, has dismayed politicians, environmentalists and Aboriginal groups. Rio vowes to seek approval 19 April 2003 - Global mining group Rio Tinto plc has confirmed it won't proceed with the Jabiluka uranium mine without the consent of the region's traditional land owners. World award for elders fighting nuclear dump 15 April 2003 - Two South Australian Aboriginal elders have won a prestigious international prize for their campaign against a proposed radioactive waste dump. Eileen Kampakuta Brown and Eileen Wani Wingfield will today be presented with the $US125,000 ($A207,097) 2003 Goldman Environmental Prize dubbed the Nobel Prize for the environment. World Heritage Committee Rejects Australian Push To Water Down Heritage Protections 23 March 2003 - "I welcome the rejection by the World Heritage Committee of a push by the Australian Government to diminish the protection of World Heritage listed sites. Running costs dispute stalls Maralinga return 22 March 2003 - Three years after the Federal Government spent $108 million cleaning up the contaminated British atomic test site at Maralinga in South Australia, negotiations to hand the land back to its traditional owners have stalled Britain backs plans to weaken heritage sites 13 March 2003 - The Guardian (UK) - Plans supported by the British government would undermine protection for world heritage sites such as Stonehenge and the Giant's Causeway, according to the organisation that advises on their protection. Veto plan for World Heritage sites fuels fears of development 10 March 2003 - Large scale development could proceed unchecked in Australia's World Heritage sites, including the Kakadu National Park and the Blue Mountains, under changes to guidelines proposed by the Federal Government.   Jabiluka Mine halted? December 5, 2002 -The Mirrar People of Kakadu National Park are demanding written confirmation the Jabiluka Uranium Mine will not go ahead. Aborigines halt Rio Tinto project 15 September 2002 - Mining giant Rio Tinto has indicated it is about to abandon plans to develop a giant uranium mine in northern Australia in the teeth of opposition from the local Aboriginal people. Aborigines halt Rio Tinto project September 15, 2002 - The Independent (UK) - Mining giant Rio Tinto has indicated it is about to abandon plans to develop a giant uranium mine in northern Australia in the teeth of opposition from the local Aboriginal people. The business of caring August 27, 2002 - BBC - The boss of one of the world's biggest mining companies has denied that big business is the enemy of the environment. Robert Wilson, chairman of the multi-national mining company, Rio Tinto, said that everyone must work together to protect the planet. Transcript: Interview with Sir Robert Wilson August 27 2002 - BBC WORLD: HARDtalk with Tim Sebastian Aborigine rights damaged by mining verdict 9 August 2002 - The Guardian (UK) - The Australian high court dealt a severe blow to the Aboriginal land rights movement yesterday when it rejected claims by the Miriuwung-Gajerrong people to a 3,050sq mile area of land in the country's remote north-west. Traditional owners concerned at depth of Govt mine review June 5, 2002 - The traditional owners of the Jabiluka and Ranger uranium mine sites surrounded by Kakadu National Park say a Northern Territory Government review of the mining operations will not go far enough. Warning on Ranger mine leak April 24 2002 - Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) has been warned it will be barred from allowing flow-off from its Ranger uranium ore stockpile into Kakadu National Park if it fails to source a new contamination leak. Claims of environmental breaches threaten Ranger mine April 18, 2002 - The mining of uranium adjacent to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory has vexed governments and environmentalists for decades. Rio Under Pressure April 18, 2002 - Rio Tinto executives will be challenged to make a commitment to ending uranium mining in Kakadu at the company's annual meeting in Melbourne. Uranium leak near Kakadu March 6, 2002 - A uranium leak at the Ranger Mine – which sent water contamination levels soaring to unprecedented levels – has prompted calls for a review of mine operator ERA. Greens back Senate enquiry into Ranger and Jabiluka April 19, 2002 - Senator Bob Brown -Following revelations by ex ERA scientist turned whistleblower, Geoffrey Kyle that there have been serious deficiencies in the operation of the Ranger Uranium mine in Kakadu..(World Heritage Area), Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.   Few set out on road to ethics April 14, 2001 - The Guardian (UK) - Despite activists' clamour, key pension funds have yet to move towards socially responsible investment. Tony Levene reports. Gift of life February 14, 2001- The Guardian (UK) - The world's largest mining company has been given a chance to prove its green credentials and save Aboriginal homelands.   A nuclear fall out July 21, 1999 - The Guardian (UK) - Australia threw a million dollars, its top civil servants and foreign embassies round the world into a campaign to prevent Kakadu national park - the backdrop to the film Crocodile Dundee - being declared "in danger" by UNESCO last week. Don't poison us, plead Aborigines February 21, 1999 - Guardian Unlimited (UK) - Revealed - a plan to ship waste to Australia that spells danger to humans and wildlife. Nature rates second to uranium mine November 26, 1998 - The Guardian (UK) - Australia sticks with extraction plan despite World Heritage fears for a national park. UN condemns uranium mine December 1998 - An Aboriginal group has this month come a step closer to winning United Nations support for their campaign to save their land from a uranium mine. External links WISE Uranium Mining Project, Northern Territory, Australia ANAWA: the Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia Friends of the Earth (UK) NT Environment Center Australian Conservation Foundation Native Forest Network Jim Green Nuclear & Environmental Research incl Lucas Heights and Maralinga nuclearfiles.org Mirrar People Homepage (Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation) Irati Wanti We are the Kupa Piti Kungka Tjuta, the Senior Aboriginal Women from Coober Pedy, South Australia. We are the Aboriginal women Yankunytjatjara, Antikarinya and Kokatha. We know the country. The poison the Government is talking about will poison the land. We say "NO radioactive dump in our ngura - in our country." Its strictly poison we don’t want it. ABC Radio National - Background Briefing Transcript - 16th June 1996 European Parliament Resolution passed Unamended: 15/1/98 concerning the Jabiluka uranium mine (word file) The Kakadu Affair Shakes the Heritage World Sophie Boukhari (UNESCO Courier) Maralinga - Our Own Shame British nuclear tests at Maralinga British Nuclear Testing in Australia The Maralinga Rehabilitation Project Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency Australian Government Response to United Nations: Kakadu National Park ARPANSA Maralinga and Emu British Nuclear Tests Australian government site on radioactive waste Stop Jabiluka! Germany

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