]]
Supervision and assessment of uranium mining
Assessment of the Jabiluka Project
Report of the Supervising Scientist to the World Heritage Committee
Peter Bridgewater - Supervision Scientist
9 April 1999
In 1998, the Australian Government gave its approval for the development of the Jabiluka uranium mine in Australia's Northern Territory. The Jabiluka Mineral Lease is excised from, but surrounded by, Kakadu National Park which is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Following this decision, the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee sent a Mission to Kakadu to establish whether or not the World Heritage values of Kakadu were under threat from the Jabiluka project. The Mission concluded that both the natural and the cultural values of Kakadu are seriously threatened by the development of the Jabiluka mine and recommended that Kakadu be placed on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.
After discussion of the Mission's report at its meeting in Kyoto from 30 November 1998 to 5 December 1998, the World Heritage Committee requested that the Supervising Scientist conduct a full review of scientific issues raised by the Mission. Perceived scientific uncertainty with respect to these issues had led to the Mission's conclusion that the natural values of Kakadu are threatened by the Jabiluka project.
This report is in response to the request of the World Heritage Committee.
These reports have been published in the Supervising Scientist Report series and can be ordered from Supervising Scientist publications (or phone: 08 8982 9117 or fax: 08 8979 2076 or Publications Orders, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801 Australia).
Please quote the following SSR numbers when ordering hard copies of these reports
Main report and Appendix 2 - SSR138
Attachment A - SSR139
Attachment B - SSR140
Attachment C - SSR141
Attachment D - SSR142
Attachment E - SSR143
The report is available as a number of PDF files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view them.
If you are unable to access this document, please contact Supervising Scientist Division (telephone =61 (0)8 8982 9100; email publications_ssd@environment.gov.au) to organise a suitable alternative format.