Traditional owners lose appeal against Australian uranium mine but will fight on

A Supreme Court decision in Australia today, rejected an appeal against a January 2016 ministerial decision that gave the green light for a Cameco uranium mine at Yeelirrie in Western Australia.

Aboriginal leaders and the Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA) have fought long and hard to defeat the mine project which would, among other things, cause the extinction of important subterreanean fauna in the area.

Outside the courthouse, Vicky Abdullah expressed her disappointment but also the community's resolution not to give up.

"We have fought long and hard to protect Yeelirrie and stop the uranium project," she said. "It's a bad decision, but it's not the end decision."

Said CCWA executive director, Piers Verstegen: "It's absolutely not the end of the road for Yeelirrie or the other uranium mines that are being strongly contested here in Western Australia."

A federal decision remains pending. The three women conducted a montlong "walkabout" protest last August to protect the mine, joined by other protesters including from overseas.

Supreme Court Action to Stop Yeelirrie uranium mine from WANFA on Vimeo.