1971
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Uranium discovered at Jabiluka
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1975 - 1977
|
Federal Government Inquiry (Fox Inquiry) into
uranium mining in the Kakadu region. Inquiry decides that Aboriginal
opposition to mining "should not be allowed to prevail".
|
1977 - 1982
|
Following the Fox Inquiry, Aboriginal
traditional owners are essentially forced to engage in 'negotiations' and
the much-maligned Jabiluka and Ranger 'agreements' are imposed
on the traditional owners. Pancontinental mining company develop
their plans to mine Jabiluka.
|
1981 - present
|
In 1981 Ranger Mine commences operations.
Recurring water and tailings management problems have plagued
the mine. Over 100 environmental errors and breaches of operating
codes have been recorded. The mine contributes to growing social
problems in the region.
|
1991
|
Pancontinental sell the Jabiluka Mineral Lease
to ERA and the 'deed of transfer' is negotiated.
|
1996
|
Federal Coalition Government elected with an
open-slather uranium mining policy. Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation
established to represent Mirrar traditional owners. Alliance
between environment groups and Gundjehmi established.
|
1997
|
A 'week of action' is held in Kakadu with traditional
owners and students from all over Australia protesting against
the mine. In August Senator Hill approves the Environmental Impact
Statement despite obvious flaws in the process and study. ERA
seek to use the existing Ranger facilities to mill Jabiluka ore-
traditional owners oppose this and all variations of the Jabiluka
project. Jabiluka Action Groups established around the country.
|
1997- present
|
Traditional owners launch a range of court cases
in an attempt to prevent the mine's construction.
|
1998
|
European Parliament passes a resolution condemning
Jabiluka. Traditional owners and environment groups organise
a Blockade in Kakadu, which begins in March. By the time of its
completion in October over 3000 people from all over Australia
and internationally have joined the protest, with 527 being arrested
protesting peacefully. Jabiluka becomes a household name and
a Newspoll survey shows that 67% of Australians are opposed to
the project proceeding.
|
|
In May, the Mirrar senior traditional owner,
Yvonne Margarula, is arrested for trespass for protesting on
her own country. The proposal to build a uranium milling facility
at Jabiluka is subjected to a Public Environment Report (a very
weak form of environmental impact assessment) and approved by
Senator Hill. The Coalition are re-elected by a narrow margin-
Jabiluka protesters plague the Liberals election campaign and
marginal seats are the target of a Stop Jabiluka election campaign.
The Jabiluka corporate campaign takes the protest to the boardrooms
and shareholder meetings. The World Heritage Committee is advised
by UNESCO's scientific, environmental and cultural advisory bodies
that Jabiluka poses a threat to the World Heritage values of
Kakadu. In December the Committee recommends suspension of work
at the mine.
|
1999
|
Mirrar are involved in a range of court cases
regarding their arrest for trespass on their own country, and
attempt to protect sacred sites from the impacts of construction.
Traditional owners win the Goldman Prize, an international award
recognising outstanding environmental activism. The mine site
is put on standby mode with construction halted. In June a Senate
Inquiry into Jabiluka releases its findings in a damming report
which recommends that Jabiluka not proceed. In July, after heavy
lobbying by the Australian Government, the World Heritage Committee
fail to list Kakadu as 'World Heritage in Danger'. This Committee
orders further information on the impacts of the project. In
October traditional owners instruct the Northern Land Council
that they will not discuss the Ranger Milling Alternative for
5 years. At Australia's first Extraordinary AGM called by North
Ethical Shareholders, shareholders raise concerns about the excessive
environmental, social, cultural impacts of the Mine and conclude
that such impacts are poor business decisions.
|
1996 - 2000
|
North Ltd and ERA share prices fall significantly,
uranium spot prices fall on the international market, and further
nuclear accidents like the meltdown at Tokaimura in October 1999
see the international nuclear industry in decline.
|
2000
|
North Ltd examine their options to withdraw from
or sell the project. North is taken over by Rio Tinto in August.
A leak of 2 million litres of water contaminated with uranium,
radium and other radionucleides from the Ranger mine in early
2000 further demonstrates that ERA cannot be trusted to protect
the region's natural and cultural values. Water management problems
emerge at Jabiluka due to premature construction approvals.
|
|
A World Heritage Committee Independent Scientific
Panel visit Kakadu to examine Jabiluka's impact on Kakadu's natural
values. Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation and environment groups
continue to inform the World Heritage Committee of their concerns
in relation to the project. The Australian Government lobbies
heavily against an 'in danger' listing and is successful to date,
however the World Heritage Committee continue to scrutinise the
Jabiluka development and its impacts on Kakadu.
|
2001
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Rio Tinto review all North assets including ERA
and the Jabiluka project. In March Rio announces that it does
not want to develop the mine in the short term due to Traditional
Owner and Community opposition. This is followed by an announcement
at the Rio Tinto AGM in London that there will be a moratorium
on the development of Jabiluka for a period of 10 years. Water
management problems continue to plague Jabiluka with excess contaminated
water being pumped underground over the 2000/2001 wet season.
In April the Senate passes a resolution calling for the Jabiluka
lease to be revoked and reincorporateed into the National Park.
|
Major
Campaign
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