❓ The Minister for Mines and Petroleum provides an update on uranium mining projects in WA, particularly in the North West Central electorate, highlighting potential economic benefits and job creation, while contrasting the government's support with the opposition's stance.
AnsweredQoN 79Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
URANIUM MINING
79. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for
Mines and Petroleum:
Can the minister please explain to
the house the status of uranium mining projects in Western Australia, of which
there are many in my electorate?
79. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for
Mines and Petroleum:
Can the minister please explain to
the house the status of uranium mining projects in Western Australia, of which
there are many in my electorate?
AnswerView source ↗
I acknowledge the question from the
member for North West Central. I acknowledge also that there are significant
uranium deposits in his electorate. Two weeks ago I visited Wiluna. Toro Energy
Ltd has some prospective uranium deposits there. Four mining companies are well
advanced in getting their deposits to mining and exporting potential. Toro has
three areas—Millipede, Centipede and Lake Maitland. Centipede and
Millipede are around Lake Way. Thanks to Toro Resources, I had the privilege to
be shown all three mine sites. Unfortunately, the price of uranium has been
about $35 to $36 per pound over the last couple of years, but it has reached
$140 in the past. The price of uranium has only to go up to $70 and Western Australia
will have four world-class uranium sites.
Talking about the Toro site, there
will be 350 jobs over a 25-year life span, if that project goes ahead. If all
four prospective sites—Kintyre, Yeelirrie, Vimy Resources'
project at Mulga Rock and Toro's project at Wiluna—go ahead, it
could employ 1 300 people. That is 1 300 jobs. It could create an export
industry worth $1 billion to Western Australia. With the Paris climate change
agreement recently signed by many countries around the world, and a renewed
focus on clean energy, uranium is one source of energy. We are well placed for
that. The Liberal–National government supports uranium mining in Western
Australia. Unfortunately, members from the other side do not support uranium
mining. They are jeopardising a $1 billion export industry in Western Australia.
member for North West Central. I acknowledge also that there are significant
uranium deposits in his electorate. Two weeks ago I visited Wiluna. Toro Energy
Ltd has some prospective uranium deposits there. Four mining companies are well
advanced in getting their deposits to mining and exporting potential. Toro has
three areas—Millipede, Centipede and Lake Maitland. Centipede and
Millipede are around Lake Way. Thanks to Toro Resources, I had the privilege to
be shown all three mine sites. Unfortunately, the price of uranium has been
about $35 to $36 per pound over the last couple of years, but it has reached
$140 in the past. The price of uranium has only to go up to $70 and Western Australia
will have four world-class uranium sites.
Talking about the Toro site, there
will be 350 jobs over a 25-year life span, if that project goes ahead. If all
four prospective sites—Kintyre, Yeelirrie, Vimy Resources'
project at Mulga Rock and Toro's project at Wiluna—go ahead, it
could employ 1 300 people. That is 1 300 jobs. It could create an export
industry worth $1 billion to Western Australia. With the Paris climate change
agreement recently signed by many countries around the world, and a renewed
focus on clean energy, uranium is one source of energy. We are well placed for
that. The Liberal–National government supports uranium mining in Western
Australia. Unfortunately, members from the other side do not support uranium
mining. They are jeopardising a $1 billion export industry in Western Australia.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.