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URANIUM EXPLORATION IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR MINERALS AND ENERGY

THE HON. R.F.X. CONNOR, M.P.

On 6th March 1975 I tabled a statement on the initiation by the

Australian Atomic Energy Commission of its uranium exploration

programme in the Northern Territory. As a result of further

investigations since then,  planning is proceeding on the basis

of having five field parties and a drilling team actively

exploring in the Territory this year.  The first field team

should be operating in June following the selection of target

areas in the Ngalia Basin. The recruitment of staff,  the purchase

of^ stores, plant and equipment and the acquisition of buildings,

etc. are proceeding on this basis.  .  .

Ã¢ÂÂ   Mr. G.C. Battey, formerly Exploration Manager, Noranda Australia

Ltd. has accepted appointment as the Commission's Exploration

Manager. .  .  .  .  \ '

It has been decided that the Commission's Exploration Division

will consist of three professional sections (Planning, Assessment

and Evaluation) to be located in Sydney and an Operations Section

located in the Northern Territory. These sections will be

supported by appropriate administrative and clerical staff. The

main base of the Operations Section will be in Darwin; a subsidiary

base will also be located in Alice Springs. By the end of 1975

it is expected that the Division.could have a total staff of about

140 persons, including 46 professionals, of whom 20 would be

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associated with the field parties. Processing of applications

for positions in the professional team is continuing and new

advertisements were placed in the capital cities press during

March for other positions in the Division. Advertisements for

the non-professional positions for the Darwin base have led to

an encouraging response, particularly from persons presently

employed in the Northern Territory.

Geological and related information,including aerial photography,

not already held by the Commission,  is being obtained. The

selection of suitable targets for aerial radiometric surveys in

the Ngalia Basin has been commenced since this area offers an

earlier opportunity for starting field work than the Alligator

Rivers area. It is hoped to fly selected areas during June

after consultation with the Aboriginal organisations and people

concerned.

Expenditure on these activities to June 30, 1975 is estimated to

amount to $648,000. For the 1975-1976 financial year the total

estimated expenditure is $4,400,000.

Quotations are currently being obtained for auger and percussion

type drilling rigs, transceivers,  refrigerators and deep freeze

units,  water trailers, backhoe and front end loader, caravans,

mobile kitchens, 34 additional motor vehicles and a wide variety

of stores items.  Radio transceivers are to be installed at the

Darwin and Alice Springs Operations Centres,  the various field

bases, and the mobile units installed in all field and other

vehicles.

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ÃÂ Information on the design, availability and cost of prefabricated, tt -

* demountable,  transportable houses is being collected.

Pending the drawing up of plans by the Darwin Reconstruction

Commission for the outer Darwin area, interim arrangements are

being made for the acquisition of a 10 acre site, 13 miles southÂ­

east of the centre of Darwin for the A.A.E.C.'s main Darwin

Operations Centre. A site of approximately 5 acres which could

suit the Commission’s requirements has been identified in the

industrial area of Mt. Nancy in Alice Springs.

15 April, 1975

