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Uranium debate still rages in WA

Protesters rally outside conference

A conference on uranium mining in Fremantle, Western Australia, opened yesterday and attracted hundreds of people – including attendees and protesters, with a smattering of police and security guards.

The high profile of the protesters showed the debate over uranium mining is still far from over but inside the conference the mood was optimistic.

WA Department of Mines and Petroleum director general Richard Sellers opened the conference with encouraging news for the industry.

He said exploration for the controversial mineral increased 50 per cent in 2009 to $8.6 million and figures indicated this would be rising more over coming years.

Mr Sellers also said the widespread nature of the deposits mean uranium mining could benefit remote communities.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt and representatives of the Conservation Council, WA Nuclear Free Alliance, Fremantle Anti-Nuclear Group and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union were among a rally outside the conference.

The protesters wanted to put pressure on the Liberal Government to ban uranium mining in the state.

Mr Ludlam said uranium mining was far more dangerous than other forms of mining.

“This is an industry that is unsafe, unwanted and uneconomical,” he said.

“We want these people (the mining companies) to get out of town.”