State Government welcomes BHP Billiton moves on uranium front

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today welcomed reports that BHP Billiton was moving to develop the $17billion Yeelirrie uranium deposit, 500km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

"The Liberal Party had an election policy of developing this State's rich uranium resources, creating jobs and building our economy," Mr Moore said.

"Since forming Government, we have lifted the previous ban on mining uranium and seen a resultant resurgence in interest in developing this valuable resource, which has the huge potential to create jobs and wealth for Western Australia.

"It is encouraging in this time of global economic downturn, that the resource sector is gearing up and developing alternative revenue streams for WA.  However, this Government will not countenance a 'develop at all costs' mentality.

"We remain adamant that the most stringent health and safety measures and the world's best practice environmental standards will apply to any proposed uranium development and to the handling and transportation of yellowcake."

The Minister said the State Government would abide by its pledge to refuse shipment of yellowcake through any WA port located near a residential area.

"While uranium is a valuable resource, the tonnage and shipment levels are relatively small," he said.

"This means that it is economically feasible to transport yellowcake by road to rail heads and then by rail to existing ports designed to deal with the export of uranium in either the Northern Territory or South Australia."

Mr Moore could not comment on the specific method of transportation to be used in the case of BHP Billiton's proposed Yeelirrie development because he had not yet seen a detailed mining proposal.