The Ranger uranium mine operated by Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA), Australia's longest continually operating uranium oxide producer, will cease processing today.

ERA confirms that all mining and processing activities at Ranger will conclude today, 8 th January 2021, in accordance with Commonwealth and NT Government legislative and regulatory requirements including the Ranger s41 Authority.

Today's cessation of processing marks the end of four decades of production at Ranger during which ERA has been a safe and reliable supplier of uranium oxide to global markets. During this period Ranger has also been a major local employer, catalyst for the establishment of the town of Jabiru and significantly underpinned the local economy.

The comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area remains a strategic priority for the Company. ERA is fully committed to delivering a positive legacy for Traditional Owners and for all Australians for the future, as detailed in its Mine Closure Plan (MCP).

Mr Paul Arnold, Chief Executive of ERA said: 'This is a truly historic milestone. Ranger has been a major supplier to global energy markets as well as being a key contributor to the Kakadu region and the Northern Territory. On behalf of the Board and management of ERA, it is with heartfelt gratitude that we farewell many of our dedicated operational team who have contributed both to Ranger and the broader Jabiru and Kakadu community. We would like to thank the many generations of ERA employees who devoted their skills and expertise throughout the life of this mine.

'Importantly, ERA will have an ongoing presence in the region as we continue the progressive rehabilitation of Ranger. I look forward to the continued support and expertise of our team as we now wholly focus on delivering on our legacy of the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ranger Project Area.'

Additional Background

Closure of the Ranger Mine is governed by both Commonwealth and NT legislation and regulations. The key instrument that governs operations at the Ranger Mine on a day-to-day basis is the authority (the Ranger Authorisation) issued under the NT Mining Management Act 2018 (Mining Management Act). The main Commonwealth authority (the Ranger s41 Authority), issued under section 41 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 (Cth) (Atomic Energy Act), provides the key tenure and land access approval required for the operations (the section 41 Authority). The Environmental Requirements, which set the objectives for Ranger rehabilitation, are also issued in accordance with the s41 Authority.

About Energy Resources of Australia Ltd

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) operates the Ranger mine, Australia's longest continually producing uranium mine. Together, ERA provides clean energy to the world and cares for people and country. ERA has an excellent track record of safely and reliably supplying customers. Uranium has been mined at Ranger for more than 40 years. During that time, Ranger has produced in excess of 132,000 tonnes of uranium oxide. ERA's Ranger mine is located eight kilometres east of Jabiru and 260 kilometres east of Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory. ERA is a major employer in the Northern Territory and the Alligator Rivers Region.

Under the current legal framework, ERA is required to cease mining and processing activities on the Ranger Project Area by 8 January 2021, with final rehabilitation to be completed by January 2026.

Contact:

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