Legal action has been launched after the lease for Jabiluka uranium mine was scrapped.

Energy Resources Australia (ERA) has initiated legal proceedings against the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments over the refusal to extend its lease over the Jabiluka uranium mine site, located near Kakadu National Park. 

The company is seeking a judicial review of the decision, which it argues was procedurally unfair.

The Jabiluka site, renowned as one of the largest and richest uranium deposits globally, has been under ERA’s lease since 1991. 

However, despite the lease, ERA has not engaged in any mining or development activities on the site. 

The original lease was granted amidst significant opposition from the Mirarr traditional owners, who have continued to resist any attempts to mine the area.

Last month, the Northern Territory government rejected ERA's application to extend the undeveloped uranium lease for an additional 10 years.

 In response, ERA says it has filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court against several parties, including the Commonwealth, Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King, the Northern Territory, NT Mining Minister Mark Monaghan, and the Jabiluka Aboriginal Land Trust. 

“ERA believes it had a right to have its renewal application lawfully determined and considers it was denied procedural fairness and natural justice in the decision-making process,” the company said, according to reports.

ERA reportedly intends to obtain an interlocutory injunction to halt the implementation of the lease renewal decision. 

The lease expired on August 11, with the federal government indicating plans to formally incorporate the site into Kakadu National Park.