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No half measures at Jabiluka: traditional owners

Sacred sites non negotiable: Mirrar

26 March 2001- Mirrar Media release - The Mirrar people of Kakadu today called on Rio Tinto to commit to the closure of the Jabiluka uranium mine project and return the Jabiluka mineral lease to its traditional owners.

The call follows last week's announcement by Rio Tinto that it would not support mine owner Energy Resources of Australia in any development of the mine in the short term.

Spokeswoman for the Mirrar, traditional owners of the Ranger and Jabiluka areas, Jacqui Katona said the protection of Kakadu's cultural heritage is non-negotiable and that half measures were not acceptable at Jabiluka.

"The Mirrar have fought tirelessly for a permanent solution to the Jabiluka problem. The Mirrar do not want to see Jabiluka stalled but permanently closed and the land return to them unencumbered.

"The protection of Kakadu's living culture and sacred sites at Jabiluka are non-negotiable for the Mirrar. Their opposition to Jabiluka will remain steadfast and strong," Ms Katona said.

In 1999 the Mirrar, through the Northern Land Council, placed a five-year moratorium on ERA's preferred option at Jabiluka, the so-called Ranger mill alternative. Ms Katona said concerns remain that unless a permanent closure to Jabiluka is secured the problem may be revisited in 2004.

"There would be no satisfaction if last week's announcement simply meant Jabiluka is put 'on the back burner' for three years.

"Rio Tinto now has the opportunity to once and for all establish its credentials as a community-responsible corporate citizen. It would be a pity if, coming so close, it shirked its responsibility by either on-selling or simply mothballing Jabiluka for later development.

"The Mirrar call on Rio Tinto to permanently end the fiasco at Jabiluka by closing the project, rehabilitating the land at Jabiluka and returning it to its traditional owners. The Mirrar call on Rio Tinto to ensure that Kakadu's cultural and natural World Heritage values are protected," Ms Katona said..

Further information: jabiluka issues page - includes news index and external links