Environmental Research and Supervision of Uranium Mining

Supervision of uranium mining activities in the Alligator Rivers Region

The Supervising Scientist supervises, on behalf of the Australian Government, the environmental aspects of uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory by participating in the regulatory processes of the Northern Territory Government, and by directly reviewing the environmental performance of uranium mines.

There are Environmental Requirements (ERs) stipulated by the Commonwealth for each uranium mine in the Alligator Rivers Region. These ERs are the primary criteria with which the Supervising Scientist compares the performance of, and proposals put forth by mining companies.

The Supervising Scientist actively promotes the concept of continual improvement in its environmental supervision activities. This philosophy is built into the processes which it undertakes, and recognises that environmental performance goals are set, to a significant extent, by the expectations of the public rather than the minimum requirements of legislation.

• Investigation of the Stockpiling and Reporting Incidents at Ranger and Jabiluka 2002 - SSR170
• Investigation of the potable water contamination incident at Ranger mine March 2004 (SSR184)
• Investigation of radiation clearance procedures for vehicles leaving the Ranger mine (SSR185)