Mines Paper # 7
June 2007

Uranium Exploration in Australia

The development of civil nuclear power stimulated a wave of exploration activity in the late 1960s, and most of Australia's major orebodies were discovered as a result. This phase was marked by the involvement of major companies with large budgets and using advanced exploration techniques and equipment.

Exploration expenditure decreased during the period of the Labor Government 1972-75 due to particular government policies, (though that government supported uranium development and took equity in both Mary Kathleen and Ranger).

Stimulated by buoyant prices, expenditure increased again after 1975 until the advent of a further Labor government in 1983. Labor policy by then had become inimical to new uranium development, and exploration expenditure generally declined to the mid 1990s largely as a result of low uranium prices.

Australia's known uranium resources have increased little since 1982 (except for Olympic Dam), which may be correlated with diminished exploration expenditure. Over the last 20 years, uranium exploration in Canada has proceeded strongly, resulting in their known resources increasing substantially. In 2004 exploration in Australia started to ramp up again and in 2006-07 is estimated to be over $100 million.

The following companies are the main ones involved in uranium exploration in Australia, or are holding assets pending their development as mines.

CompanyManagement base for Australian UMain Australian Uranium Interests
Areva NC (Afmeco) Adelaide Curnamona SA;
Alliance Resources Ltd * Melbourne Beverley Four Mile SA (with Quasar)
Arafura Resources NL * Perth Jervois & Nolan's Bore NT,
BHP Billiton Ltd * Melbourne Yeelirrie* WA
Cameco Australia P/L Darwin Arnhem Land NT, and WA & SA
Compass Resources NL * Sydney Mt Fitch NT
Curnamona Energy Ltd * Adelaide Curnamona/Kalkaroo SA
Deep Yellow Ltd * Perth Napperby, NE Arunta, Tanami NT
Energy & Minerals Aust Ltd Perth Mulga Rock* WA (U-Sc)
Encounter Resources Ltd * Perth McPhersons Bore WA
Energy Metals Ltd * Perth Bigrlyi NT, various WA
Epsilon Energy Ltd * Perth Balladonia & Mt Phillips WA
Eromanga Uranium Ltd * Adelaide Eromanga Basin SA
Koongarra Mines P/L (Areva NC) Adelaide Koongarra*, Alligator Rivers NT
Laramide Resources Ltd Toronto Westmoreland* NW Qld
Mega uranium Ltd * Perth Lake Maitland* WA , Ben Lomond*, Maureen* Qld
Marathon Resources Ltd * Adelaide Mt Gee*, Mulga Well, Coondambo SA
Newera Uranium Ltd Perth Harts Range NT
Nova Energy Ltd * Perth Lake Way* & Centipede WA
NuPower Resources Ltd * Perth Lagoon Creek, Lucy Ck, Aileron NT,
Oxiana Ltd * Adelaide Prominent Hill* SA
Paladin Resources NL * Perth Manyingee* & Oobagooma* WA, Valhalla Q,; (Africa)
PepinNini Minerals Ltd * Sydney Crocker Well & Mt Victoria SA
Quasar Resources P/L Adelaide Beverley Four Mile SA
Rio Tinto Ltd * Perth Kintyre* WA.
Scimitar Resources Ltd * Perth Yanrey WA, Eclipse & Amadeus NT
Southern Uranium Ltd * Adelaide Gawler craton SA
UraniumOne Inc Adelaide Honeymoon*, Frome Basin SA
Summit Resources Ltd * Perth (Paladin) Valhalla* near Mount Isa, Qld
Toro Energy Ltd * Adelaide Warrior, Yaninee SA, Napperby NT
U3O8 Ltd * Perth Dawson-Hinkler, WA
Uran Ltd * Perth (Europe)
Uranex NL * Perth Thatchers Soak WA
Uranium Equities Ltd * Adelaide WA prospects, Mt Evelyn NT

* Listed on Australian Stock Exchange
* identified and quantified deposit, see UIC mines paper # 2.

Sources:
McKay & Miezitis, 2001, Australia's Uranium Resources, geology & development of deposits, Geosciernce Australia.
OECD NEA/IAEA, Uranium Resources Production & Demand, 1974-02
Company information, Geoscience Aust.

For further information Search this UIC Site or Return to Index

Australian Uranium Association Ltd
A.B.N. 30 005 503 828

GPO Box 1649, Melbourne 3001, Australia
phone (03) 8616 0440