Safeguarding natural beauty and biodiversity

The decision made by Australia’s Northern Territory (nt) Government to deny the renewal of a mining lease for the Jabiluka uranium deposit beneath Kakadu National Park has been described as “historic”. It follows the federal government’s advice not to renew the lease when it expires on 11 August. The mining lease had been granted in 1991, causing huge controversy and protests, including a blockade of the mine site by the traditional owners of the land, the Mirrar people, in 1998. Led by Mirarr Senior Yvonne Margarula, it drew an impressive coalition of groups and activists from around Australia. The government is now set to begin the process of incorporating the Jabiluka site to Kakadu National Park. Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King highlighted that the decision ends decades of ambiguity. “I have met with all ...