The Federal Court of Australia has made an interim order to stay the decision to refuse the renewal of Energy Resources of Australia’s (ASX:ERA) Jabiluka Uranium Mine mineral lease in the Northern Territory.
This news follows on from Energy Resources of Australia pursuing legal proceedings in relation to the decision not to renew Jabiluka’s mineral lease.
On 6 August 2024, the $310 million market capitalisation company began proceedings in the federal court against the Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, the Australian Government, the Minister for Mining and Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries, the Northern Territory and Jabiluka Aboriginal Land Trust.
Energy Resources of Australia is seeking judicial review of the renewal decision, including the federal government’s advice to the Northern Territory Government to refuse the renewal of the mineral lease.
The company believes it has the right to have its renewal application lawfully determined and considers it was decided procedural fairness and natural justice in the decision-making process.
As a result of the court’s decision today, the matter has been listed for a case management hearing before the court on 19 August 2024 to set a timetable for the hearing of ERA’s case.
Accordingly, Energy Resources of Australia says the mineral lease remains on foot, pending further order from the court.
In 1977, the federal government decided to allow mining and export of Australian uranium and approved the development of the Jabiluka uranium deposit.
Energy Resources of Australia is a large uranium producer and operates Australia’s longest continually producing uranium mine. The company is also focused on sustainable rehabilitation of former mine assets.
Source: Mining.com.au