EXCLUSIVE
WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob approved a controversial uranium mine proposal on Thursday despite a looming investigation into the dealings of representatives of the traditional owners of the land.
Cameco Australia, in a joint venture project with Mitsubishi Development, acquired the Kintyre uranium deposit in WA's remote Pilbara region in 2008 and the final stages of approval are edging closer.
But dealings of the representatives of the local Martu people, including the business practices of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, are currently under investigation by the Office of Regional Indigenous Corporations, or ORIC.
It is alleged that the Martu people, custodians of the land where the proposed uranium mine is located, received a raw deal while the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation enjoyed significant windfalls by negotiating mining rights to the land.
WA Greens uranium spokesman, Robin Chapple, said it was inappropriate for Mr Jacob to give his approval while ORIC was still investigating allegations of corruption levelled at the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation.
"The Minister should not have made any decision until the position of the Martu people, with regards to a uranium mine on their lands, had been absolutely clarified," he said.
"Instead, what Mr Jacob has done is slip this through quietly overnight with complete disregard for the investigation, or the mountain of appeals he has received in opposition."
Mr Chapple also said issues raised by environmental and Indigenous groups had fallen on deaf ears.
"Appeals submitted on the basis of threats to groundwater, radiological uptake by native flora, the lack of baseline studies and commitments to monitoring in key areas have been dismissed," he said.
"If this proposal ever wants to see the light of day it needs to be taken right back to step one and properly assessed."
Dave Sweeney, from the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the Kintyre uranium proposal directly threatened the unique desert environment of the Karlamilyi National Park and many endangered species.
"This decision sets a poor precedent for an under-performing industry that does not have bipartisan political or wider public support," he said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Jacob indicated that the Minister was not concerned by the ORIC investigation.
"The role of the Minister for Environment was to assess the environmental impact of the proposal to construct and operate an open-cut uranium mine and associated infrastructure proposed by Comeco Australia Pty Ltd," she said.
"The Minister has given environmental approval subject to strict conditions.
"Issues with the Office of the Registration of Indigenous Corporations have no bearing on whether the project is environmentally acceptable."
An ORIC spokeswoman refused to divulge details of the investigation.
The Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation has been contacted for comment but has not responded.
Approval is still required from Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt.
