Energy Resources Australia expected to be granted more time to rehabilitate former uranium mine in Kakadu

The federal government has introduced a bill to allow a mining operator more time to clean up environmental damage left from a decommissioned uranium mine near Kakadu National Park. Key points: Energy Resources of Australia says it is committed to rehabilitating the now-defunct Ranger uranium mine Labor's bill will allow the government to oversee the mine's clean-up operations beyond 2026 Traditional owners and environmentalists are concerned the mine will be abandoned, or cause further contamination Energy Resources of Australia — a subsidiary of mining giant Rio Tinto — shut down production at its Ranger uranium mine in January last year after 40 years of operation. In a statement, an ERA spokeswoman said the amendment allowed the company "sufficient time" to rehabilitate the mine to a standard "that will establish an environment similar to the adjacent Kakadu National Park". Mirarr traditional owners have also expressed doubts over ERA's ability to finish the multi-billion dollar clean-up of the Ranger mine without causing further contamination.