The Australian Uranium Association is seeking an urgent meeting with the Northern Territory chief minister after last week's decision by the Territory government to oppose a uranium mine near Alice Springs.
The Australian Uranium Association is seeking an urgent meeting with the Northern Territory chief minister after last week's decision by the Territory government to oppose a uranium mine near Alice Springs.
Cameco and Paladin Energy are pushing to explore the site, which is about 20 kilometres from the town.
The Australian Uranium Association believes chief minister Paul Henderson's statement last week pre-empted the usual mine assessment process in the Territory.
Mr Henderson said there was strong community opposition to the project.
He told the ABC Labor is listening to the concerns but the decision does not mean the NT government is opposed to new uranium mines elsewhere in the Territory.
But Australian Uranium Association chief executive officer Michael Angwin said, "The established processes for assessing resource developments remain in place in the Territory, for all uranium projects."
"Decisions in accordance with those processes still have to be taken," he said.
"Uranium companies will continue to work in good faith and to adhere to the rules and regulations for resource projects in the Territory.
"Notwithstanding the views expressed by the NT government last week, we expect the Territory government to stick to its own processes in the future.
"Many uranium projects in the Territory are at a very early stage and decisions on mine approvals are some way off.
"We want to make sure the Territory is on track before the Government has to make any decisions on uranium mines in accordance with its approval process.
Last week Paladin said it was surprised by the announcement by the Northern Territory government.
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange Paladin said, "The Northern Territory Government did not consult with Paladin in advance of the announcement."
"Neither has Paladin received any indication that the government might have adopted this view," the statement said.
"The project is still at the exploration phase and work has been progressing with environmental and hydrogeological studies.
"It was always Paladin's expectation that the government would consider that project on its merits, which would include appropriate scientific studies and assessment."
Paladin said the company is considering its options in advance of further discussions with the Territory government.
"Paladin considers it highly unusual for a government to invite applications and encourage uranium exploration on a site and subsequently publicly announce that it would not support the establishment of a uranium mine without having undertaken, what the company would consider, a proper review of the issues," said managing director John Borshoff in a statement.
Paladin is considering its options in advance of further discussions with the Northern Territory Government.
A spokesman for Paladin said today the company still intends to continue with the project.
The federal government will decide if the mine goes ahead.
