In 1977 the Australian Government decided to allow further mining and export of Australian uranium and approved development of Northern Territory uranium deposits known as ‘Jabiluka.’
This decision included a commitment to guard against nuclear proliferation and to ensure protection of Aboriginal rights and of the environment. However, for over a decade environmental groups, and Aboriginal communities affected by the mining of uranium deposits, led protests against the proposed Jabiluka mine.
The protests culminated in a lengthy blockade in 1998 and, although development did proceed for a short time, the site was rehabilitated in 2003 and there has been no development at the site since
Curriculum areas
- Year 10 History
- Year 8 Geography
Questions
- What factors did the Australian Government consider before it approved further development of Australian uranium reserves in 1977?
- Why was mining of uranium at Jabiluka so controversial and why did the campaign against the project gain such strong support?
- In 1977 Prime Minister Fraser stated that Australia 'possesses 20 per cent of the world's known reserves of low-cost uranium'. What are the arguments for and against developing these reserves for energy?
