Nuclear For Australia calls for WA to lift uranium mining ban in decarbonisation submission

Nuclear for Australia made a submission to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Economics and Industry Standing Committee's Inquiry into the role of Western Australia in the global effort on decarbonisation, recommending the effective ban on uranium mining be removed and a nuclear energy industry be explored in WA.

Read the submission

Key findings:

• Western Australia has significant, currently untapped uranium resources. According to CCIWA, WA has the eighth largest uranium source in the world and could become the second largest global producer at current levels if the four most advanced projects progressed.
• 31 countries have backed the pledge to triple nuclear energy output, including WA trading partners Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.
• Australia's total uranium exports in FY2023-24 were used to produce 193 TWh of nuclear electricity, according to the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office.
• A Lowy Institute poll found 61% of Australians support nuclear energy being part of the country's energy mix.
• Nuclear energy can produce pink hydrogen, provide process heat for hard-to-abate heavy industry and support electrification, with the lowest lifecycle emissions of any energy source.
• A WA nuclear industry could build on the nuclear skills being developed in the state for AUKUS.
• Recommendation 1: Lift Western Australia's uranium mining ban and explore the broader nuclear fuel cycle.
• Recommendation 2: Consider opportunities to become more involved in the nuclear fuel cycle, including conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication.
• Recommendation 3: Explore civilian nuclear energy in Western Australia to support green exports such as pink hydrogen.

Next Steps