The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) has called for a discussion about the opportunities for Australia to become a major uranium mining jurisdiction, including the possibility of a nuclear power industry.
At the 14th International Uranium Conference in Adelaide, AusIMM President, Janine Herzig, used her opening address to reiterate the Institute’s support of uranium mining in Australia and to praise the high professional standards of the Australian uranium industry and its people.
“AusIMM firmly believes that the time has come for Australia to seriously discuss the professional employment opportunities, reduced carbon emissions and increased baseload energy security that would arise from the formation of an Australian-based nuclear power industry as part of our national energy mix,” Ms Herzig said.
“Any such industry must be underpinned by the highest professional standards and accreditation. When it comes to uranium mining, we already have this knowledge in Australia, from the technical skills and personnel, to the expertise in positive community engagement, health, safety and environmental outcomes.”
Australia currently holds 31 per cent of the world’s proven uranium reserves (Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 2019).
Ever since the 1950s, the prospect of nuclear power in Australia has been a hot topic for public debate.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry and Resources 2006 report ‘Australia’s uranium – Greenhouse friendly fuel for an energy hungry world’ and the 2007 ‘Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review Taskforce 2006’ (Switkowski report) both made a case for introducing nuclear energy into Australia, predominantly to mitigate future greenhouse gas emissions.
The reports concluded that nuclear power would be 20 – 50 per cent more expensive than coal without carbon dioxide (CO2) pricing, but roughly equivalent with ‘low to moderate’ pricing of CO2 emissions.
AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin, echoed Ms Herzig’s sentiments, stating there is a stigma attached to uranium which is holding back the discussion.
“Without pre-empting the findings of any such inquiry, we should at least be capable of having the conversation about possible opportunities,” Mr Durkin said.
“Given Australia’s rising power costs, lower energy security and desire to reduce emissions in power generation, it is time to explore the role that uranium could play in Australia’s energy supply.”
“We believe that professionals in the Australian resources sector are capable of contributing to, and driving this expansion of the nuclear power industry, when provided with the necessary support,” he added.