A long running native title claim in the area surrounding the Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory was settled yesterday, after all parties agreed to an in-principle resolution. The proposed settlement will see the town of Jabiru in the Kakadu National Park recognised as the Mirrar people's land and the town areas being leased to the executive director of township leasing for 99 years rent free. Jabiru was founded for Energy Resources Australia's (ERA) Ranger mine. ERA chief executive Rob Atkinson has welcomed the proposed settlement. "The proposed settlement will formally recognise Mirarr traditional ownership of the land and provides certainty for the future of the town of Jabiru," he said. "ERA has strongly supported the aspirations of the Mirarr to have their relationship with Jabiru formally recognised. "The company (ERA) has been operating the Ranger mine on Aboriginal land for over three decades and we are confident that the town will continue to operate effectively under the new lease arrangements and that there will be no negative impact on town users and visitors." With a population of approximately 1,200, Jabiru is a diversified regional centre, which houses housing many of ERA's employees and contractors, as well as supporting many of the estimated 200,000 tourists who visit Kakadu National Park annually.
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