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World Heritage Committee’s grave concern leads to 18 month suspension at Jabiluka

13 July 1999 - Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation - The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has found that the Jabiluka uranium mine poses serious negative impact to the values of Kakadu National Park.

The “grave concerns” expressed by the Committee and accepted by the Australian government have seen the project placed on hold for at least 18 months pending decisions on its cultural impact.

The Australian government is required to report to the World Heritage Committee by April next year with an explanation of how Jabiluka can proceed without damaging Mirrar cultural values.

Executive Officer of Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation Jacqui Katona said today, “The Mirrar people now have a transparent process which we believe will lead to Jabiluka being discontinued.”

“We are extremely confident we can demonstrate beyond doubt the incompatibility of the Jabiluka project with the cultural values of Kakadu.”

“The World Heritage Committee and the Australian government have accepted the profound sincerity in the Mirrar people’s opposition to Jabiluka on cultural grounds.”s

“We believe that over the next 18 months Mirrar opposition to Jabiluka will prevail.” Ms Katona said.

Media release from www.mirrar.net

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