State government sets up uranium panel

An independent group of experts has been appointed by the state government to provide high-level advice on how to employ a world's best uranium sector regulatory framework.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said the tender was awarded to the Australian Centre for Geomechanics, a joint venture of The University of Western Australia, Curtin University and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

A group of 10 experts will provide advice to the Department of Mines and Petroleum on its regulatory framework for uranium mining.

The group includes Professor Phil Dight, Professor Andy Fourie, Professor
Carolyn Oldham and John Chandler from UWA; Ian Gipps, Dr Mike Trefry and Anna Littleboy from CSIRO; and Professor Ronald Ripple and Associate Professor's Ron Watkins and Bob Loss from Curtin.

The independent experts will also provide the DMP with third-party 'peer review' and assessment of uranium mining proposals during the assessment stage of the development.

"This independent expert advice will help the DMP ensure uranium mining in WA is undertaken in accordance with world's best practice," said Mr Moore.