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Uranium mines approved in the final weeks and months of the Barnett government will be allowed to proceed, Western Australia's new Mines Minister has confirmed.
While the Labor Government will maintain its policy of banning any new uranium mines, projects approved by the previous government will be granted leeway.
"[Premier] Mark McGowan has made our position very clear. Those projects approved by the previous government will be able to proceed," Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston told ABC Goldfields.
"[But] we won't grant further approvals."
Proposed mines covered by this decision include Toro Energy's project at Wiluna, Vimy's mine at Mulga Rock, 240km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Cameco's mine at Yeelirrie in the northern Goldfields — Australia's largest known uranium deposit.
Toro's mines around Wiluna were the first to be approved in 2012, while Mulga Rock received approval last year.
Cameco's Yeelirrie mine was initially knocked back by the Environmental Protection Authority due to the threat the mine proposed to microscopic stygofauna present at the site.
But those concerns were dismissed by former state development minister Bill Marmion, who overruled the EPA's decision and approved the mine in January.
It prompted anti-uranium activists to accuse the former Government of rushing projects through without proper scrutiny, to ensure they would meet Labor's election deadline.
Mr Johnston's position clarifies the policy stance Mr McGowan established on uranium when he became opposition leader.
While WA Labor had previously opposed any form of uranium mining, Mr McGowan shifted the party's position to one of allowing any mines "approved to begin construction", but banning any new developments.
While it removes one challenge for WA's uranium developers, a historic slump in the global uranium price remains the primary obstacle for development.
Mr Johnston said developers could expect a consistent approach from the Government.
"It's not that I have a closed mind on uranium. We will have to see how these projects proceed," Mr Johnston said.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnston ruled out increasing mining royalties to help the state's deteriorating financial situation.
A proposal to raise the gold royalty in 2014 triggered a split in the Liberals and Nationals, with the Barnett government eventually abandoning the proposal.
"We won't increase the gold royalty," Mr Johnston said.
"Labor worked with the gold industry to stop that happening, and we won't do it now."
He also rejected any suggestion the Government would adopt the WA Nationals proposed increase on iron ore royalties paid by BHP and Rio Tinto from 25 cents per tonne to $5.
"That was a badly misconceived, silly idea," Mr Johnston said.
"It didn't confront the reality of royalty payments paid by the large miners and undermined Western Australia's security as a destination for investment."
Topics: mining-rural, uranium-mining, kalgoorlie-6430, wiluna-6646
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