Joint media release with Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians.

The Albanese Government is ensuring rehabilitation continues at Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory to allow the site to be returned to the Mirarr Traditional Owners.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King has issued a new rehabilitation authority to Energy Resources Australia (ERA) to continue its rehabilitation activities at the former mine site. 

“This new authority means that ERA will be able to continue with its obligation to restore Ranger Uranium Mine to a condition similar to the surrounding Kakadu National Park,” Minister King said. 

Mirrar Traditional Owners worked closely with the Northern Land Council and ERA on a new land access agreement.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy approved the agreement under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory).

“I thank the Mirarr Traditional Owners, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, Northern Land Council, ERA and Rio Tinto for their collaborative efforts in establishing this new authority and land access agreement,” Minister McCarthy said.

“We want to see rehabilitation completed and for the land to be returned to the Mirarr Traditional Owners.”

Both ERA and Rio Tinto have committed to Ranger’s extensive rehabilitation and the Australian and Northern Territory Governments will continue providing oversight.

Ranger Uranium Mine operated for 40 years until operations ended in January 2021.