Episode 24: Yeelirrie Victory! Wanti Uranium Leave it in the Ground

Traditional Owners celebrate the Yeelirrie approval expiry

Traditional Owners of the Yeelirrie area are celebrating the expiry of the

environmental approval to mine this significant area. The approval to mine Yeelirrie had a

condition that required the proponent, Cameco, to mine within five years. The approval

expired on 20 January 2022 with Cameco failing to meet their condition. Traditional Owners

have fought against mining at Yeelirrie since the 1970’s when the uranium deposit was

identified by Western Mining Corporation.

Kado Muir, Tjiwarl native title holder, Ngalia leader of Walkatjurra Walkabout and Chair of

the West Australia Nuclear Free Alliance said “In the last 50 years our community got

together, stood up strong and has fought off 3 major multinational corporations. Today we

celebrate that Cameco cannot mine at Yeelirrie.”

Shirley Wonyabong, Tjupan elder and senior Tjiwarl native title holder said “Mining uranium

at Yeelirrie, we’re going to stop it. That’s the story for the Seven Sisters… the old people told

me the story for that country.”

“Our community has come together over this issue and we’ve been clear that mining at

Yeelirrie will not happen. That area is important and we have a responsibility to protect that

country and keep the uranium where it is. When you stay together and united and you don’t

let mining companies push you around you can protect country.”

“Now we’re calling on the government to not extend approvals to mine at Yeelirrie and to

withdraw the approvals entirely. Cameco don’t need another mine but our community

needs certainty about the protection of this area.”

“We’ve campaigned so long to stop mining at Yeelirrie because of the Seven Sisters the

importance of that area, because of the dangers of uranium when you dig it up and because

of the risk of extinction of the stygofauna. It’s time now to put an end to the mining threat

at Yeelirrie. Withdraw the approval.”

Song by Catriona Blanke :Guardians of the Land (Reisen 2013) | https://soundcloud.com/catrionablanke