Chief Executive's message
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) is planning an ambitious and exciting programme of significant investments for 2011 and beyond to ensure sound and successful operations at Ranger, and to provide a solid foundation for the future.
ERA will focus on the completion of the feasibility study and environmental approvals process for the proposed Ranger heap leach facility. This facility would lead to the production of an additional 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of uranium oxide.
The Company will also focus on Ranger 3 Deeps mineral resource, including the possible construction of an underground exploration decline.
ERA will continue its unrelenting commitment to the goal of zero injuries, and its focus on direct engagement with its employees on safety issues.
In 2010 we maintained excellent safety performance, achieving an all injury frequency rate of 0.71 reportable injuries per 200,000 hours and worked 1,320,583 hours without a lost time injury.
Our operational and financial performance also depends on sound environmental management and protection.
The Commonwealth Government's Supervising Scientist stated in his 2009/2010 annual report that the extensive monitoring and research programmes of the Supervising Scientist Division "confirm that the environment has remained protected".
In March this year independent audits successfully re-certified the Company's environmental management systems to ISO14001.
Water management and environmental protection at Ranger remains highly important and ERA completed a range of projects designed to improve water management at Ranger, including new real-time water monitoring points in local waterways, and projects to control and divert surface and sub-surface water flows.
Like many other parts of Australia, weather conditions and record rainfall during 2010 provided challenges for ERA. Consequently, in January 2011ERA commenced an orderly suspension of processing plant operations for 12 weeks.
This precautionary measure ensured the level of the Tailings Storage Facility remained below the authorised operating level during the wet season. ERA is using this period to bring forward scheduled plant maintenance.
ERA's partnerships with its stakeholders and the community requires positive outcomes if ERA's operations in the region are to be sustainable.
ERA will continue to engage with the Mirarr Traditional Owners, with local communities and with governments to maintain Jabiru as an important regional centre, and to create cultural, social and economic development opportunities for our neighbours and future generations.
In meeting the future demand for uranium supply, and the expectations of electricity consumers the world over, ERA strives for safety leadership, environmental protection and strong and enduring relationships with all stakeholders.
A strong market and sustained interest around the world in nuclear energy as a critical part of the mix in a carbon constrained global economy will support ERA's efforts to generate value and deliver sustainable development of its resources for the benefit of shareholders and stakeholders alike.
