Uranium in Western Australia
Western Australia is rich in natural resources, and uranium is one of the many commodities that the State can mine to provide social and economic benefits to local communities and the rest of the State.
The State has 40 years’ experience of effectively regulating the mining and exploration of radioactive materials such as mineral sands and tantalum.
These commodities are very similar to uranium in how they should be safely handled and transported. This has been done without major incident since these industries began.
The uranium industry will be no different.
Not only do stringent State and Federal regulations apply, but the uranium sector is also subject to rigorous international standards and regulations.
Uranium mining and exploration in Western Australia will be conducted safely and with minimum environmental impact.
The State’s uranium will only be used for peaceful purposes such as electricity generation and medical use.
Please click on the links below for more information about uranium.
Scoping Uranium Mining Approvals in WA
The department of mines and petroleum has developed a gantt chart to assist companies in scoping the approvals required to undertake uranium exploration and mining activities in Western Australia.
Western Australia’s uranium
Western Australia has known resources of more than 207,000 tonnes of uranium oxide in about 30 deposits and has significant potential for additional deposits to be discovered with many promising areas yet to be tested. The first uranium mine in WA is expected to be in production by 2013.
What is Uranium?
Uranium is the world's heaviest, naturally occurring element and is found in soil, rocks, human tissue, food, water and the ocean. Uranium is typically mined in three different ways: open-cut, underground and in-situ leaching.
Uses for Uranium
Australia's uranium is exported as fuel in nuclear power reactors for electricity generation, in the manufacture of radioisotopes for medical applications and in nuclear science research using neutron fluxes.
Protecting Workers
Comprehensive systems of radiation protection are in place to ensure that the health of workers engaged in uranium exploration and mining remains protected.
Protecting people and the environment
The Department of Mines and Petroleum has 40 years' experience regulating radioactive materials. These regulations, with some additions, will be applied to the uranium sector. Federal and international regulations also apply.
Transport and Export
Dangerous goods such as various types of chemicals and radioactive materials are transported safely and securely on Australian roads every day. The transport and export of these goods is regulated by State and Commonwealth agencies. In the case of uranium there are also international standards that must be followed.
Uranium and radiation
Radiation is all around us. We are exposed to natural background radiation from a variety of sources including gamma radiation from uranium, thorium, and potassium in the ground, and cosmic rays from outer space. Please click on the above link for more information about radiation in our day-to-day lives, and working with radiation.
Review of Uranium Mining Regulation
In 2010, DMP commissioned an independent review of the regulatory framework governing uranium mining in Western Australia.
