Rio Tinto is set to shut down and rehabilitate the Ranger uranium mine near Kakadu National Park, a move that has sparked significant environmental controversy in Australia.

On November 20, 2024, Rio Tinto announced plans to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares of Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) to gain full control over the Ranger mine and the nearby Jabiluka deposit.

This acquisition follows a $766.5 million capital raising in October 2024, in which Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in ERA from approximately 86% to 98%.

The Ranger mine, which has been operational since 1981 and ceased uranium oxide mining in 2012, has rehabilitation costs projected to exceed $2.2 billion, raising concerns among the traditional owners, the Mirarr people.

Rio Tinto has committed to rehabilitating the Ranger site in accordance with the wishes of the Mirarr People, the traditional custodians of the land.

Kellie Parker, Rio Tinto's CEO for Australia, emphasized that the rehabilitation goal is to restore the Ranger Project Area to an environmental standard similar to that of the adjacent World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

Despite the recent lease extension granted to ERA for the Jabiluka site, which is home to ancient rock art and has faced opposition since 1998, Rio Tinto has no plans to invest in mining or developing the Jabiluka deposit.

The Jabiluka area, which is estimated to contain 137,100 tonnes of uranium oxide, has been under a lease agreement with ERA for 42 years, with the latest agreement expiring in August 2023.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has expressed support for Rio Tinto's acquisition, viewing it as a positive step that ends the threat of future uranium mining in the region.

Campaigner Dave Sweeney highlighted the crucial role of the Mirarr People in protecting their land from uranium mining impacts, marking this development as a significant achievement.

The rehabilitation of the Ranger site is recognized as Australia's most costly and complex mine rehabilitation effort, with activities already underway.

Overall, Rio Tinto's actions signal a shift away from uranium mining in the Kakadu region, aligning with the environmental aspirations of local communities.