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Minister says OZ should mine more uranium as China expands nuclear program

  •  3 April 2009
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RESOURCES Minister Martin Ferguson has announced that Australia should mine uranium with safe hands and guarantee that it's used only for peaceful purposes as China prepares to expand its nuclear energy program.

Industry officials are concerned about the safety of mining the mineral and the safety of the nation as there are fears the uranium will be stockpiled and used for nuclear war.

Ferguson says Australia needs to increase uranium mining to meet the needs of Australia's second-biggest trading partner who will buy a lot more uranium if it is given half the chance.Ferguson says Australia will only sell uranium to China on the basis that it will not be stockpiled and will only be used for civil nuclear energy purposes. He says Australia’s past policy of mining the mineral with safe hands has served the nation well.

The Minister says there has been considerable exploration across Australia in terms of the uranium industry over recent years. He claims it will expand, and it also will expand at a time at which we expect an increased demand for uranium internationally.

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