Green and health groups are seeking protection of Alice Springs from uranium mining. To give the initiative a stronger push, the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) and the Public Health Association of Australian (PHAA) asked Northern Territory Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis to come up with a special reserve land order.

By issuing the order, Alice Springs residents would be provided certainty since it would require surrender of the current exploration licence granted to joint venture partners Paladin Energy and Cameco, a Canadian firm.

The two miners, which have a 50-50 joint venture partnership, started drilling operations at the Angela and Pamela uranium deposits after it secured a licence in 2009 but mothballed the project.

Mr Vatskalis turned down the request of ALEC and PHAA for the issuance of a special order since exploration permits have been issued. While the minister said he is not in favour of the uranium mining project, he could not come up with the special order because of the existing permit.

Clive Rosewarne from PHAA said the winner of the September election in the territory could use powers under the Mineral Titles Act for force the surrender of the exploration licence.

The Country Liberals which is running against the Labor Party in next month's NT election said it is against the Angela Pamela site due to its closeness to the town, but added the party would not recall the exploration permit if it wins the election. The Liberals would even encourage all applications for uranium development in the territory.

The two groups warned of the possible impact of a uranium mine on their health and water supply since the Angela Pamela uranium deposits are only about 25 kilometres away from the town although the project has been idle since 2010.

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