Australia is a major global producer, containing 26% of the world's reserves. It is also the world's second largest producer after Canada, with mine production touching 8,931 t of Uranium in 2003. Exports in 2003 were estoimated at 9,614 t valued at A$398 million.One of Australia's largest producers is Energy Resources Australia (ERA), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. ERA's operates the Ranger mining operation as well as developing the Jabiluka prospect in the Alligators River region, east of Darwin in the Northern Territory. However, the Jabiluka development has run into several problems with environmental agencies.
Three uranium mines operated in Australia in 2003: Ranger open pit (5,065 t in 2003), Olympic Dam underground mine (3,176 t in 2003), and the Beverley (689 t in 2003).
During 2003, 9.0 Mt ore were mined at Olympic Dam and the processing plant treated 8.4 Mt ore with an average grade of 2.4% Cu and 0.63 kg/t of uranium. The Beverley ISL mine was extended from the North orebody into the much larger Central orebody and plant capacity expanded to include a third train of ion-exchange columns..
The Western Australian Government has prohibited the mining of uranium for nuclear purposes from any mining lease granted after June 2002. The policy was ratified with an amendment to the Mining Act, which prohibits the mining and export of uranium for nuclear purposes. There are no uranium mines in Western Australia, but large deposits occur at Kintyre and Yeelirrie.
Since 2006 40 percent of the world's known uranium reserves are found in Australia.
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
The Company is currently producing ore from its Ranger #3 open pit and is proceeding with the development of the new Jabiluka mine located 22.5 kilometres north of the existing Ranger facilities.
WMC Resources Ltd
WMC operates the Olympic Dam copper - gold - uranium mine, that accounts for 11% of the world's uranium output.
