A multinational mining company says it remains committed to a controversial uranium project in WA, despite the state government declining to extend its environmental approval.
Canada-based Cameco Corporation spent US$430 million acquiring the Yeelirrie uranium deposit, near Wiluna in the northern Goldfields, in 2012.
It is one of the largest uranium deposits in the country.
Earlier this year, the project's approval expired due to a failure to commence work.
Last week, WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby denied the firm's application to have the approval extended.
Relief for traditional owners and conservationists
The Conservation Council of WA and Tjiwarl traditional owners welcomed that decision, after 50 years of campaigning against the project.
Traditional owner Vicky Abdullah said it meant a "threat" was over.
Other conservationists also welcomed the decision.
"This is an important and responsible decision and is a further signal to the uranium sector that they’re not welcome in WA," Dave Sweeney from the Australian Conservation Foundation said.
Cameco said it has also had a similar application for its Kintyre project in the Pilbara knocked back.
Conservation Council Nuclear Free campaigner Mia Pepper said uranium mining had no future in WA.
"Cameco has clearly shown that there is no economic case to mine uranium in WA, with the 2016 writedown of the Kintyre uranium proposal and the clear decision not to advance Yeelirrie," Ms Pepper said.
But one mine, at Mulga Rock, also in the Goldfields region is pushing forward.
“There is a lesson here for Vimy Resources and their investors - who are bucking the trend and are continuing to throw more money at their beleaguered Mulga Rock project - that mining uranium in WA is uneconomic," Ms Pepper said.
Company not backing away
Cameco Corporation declined an interview with the ABC, but said market conditions had hindered the project.
"Economic conditions and the state of the uranium market since the project was approved did not support significant expenditure on development activities," communications director Jeff Hryhoriw said.
But the major mining company said it was committed to the long-term prospect of mining the mineral in WA.
"Cameco remains committed to the project, the future development of which remains contingent on further improvement in the uranium market commensurate with the level of investment that would be required to move it forward," Mr Hryhoriw said.
He said uranium could provide an opportunity for cleaner energy, if the state was willing to take that up.
"As a source of carbon-free, baseload electricity, nuclear power is proving increasingly important as countries and companies around the world commit to ambitious net-zero emission targets," he said.
"What potential role West Australia might play in this domain remains to be seen."
Project's controversial history
The ABC revealed last year the mine was approved by the former federal environment minister Melissa Price without key protections strongly and repeatedly recommended by the government's own experts.
The approval occurred on the eve of the 2019 election, which most expected the government to lose.
Secret emails obtained by the ABC showed the approval occurred following intervention by Cameco and then-resources minister Matt Canavan, both of whom asked for the process to be expedited.
