After 30 years, Australia's Queensland state will resume uranium mining again as the state's Premier Campbell Newman surrendered to pressure to lift the policy in support to the Australia Prime Minister's desire to sell uranium to India.

Mr Newman is a staunch supporter of the state's no uranium mining policy, but recent changes in Australia's trading relations with India made the Queensland Premier rethink his programs.

"The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has just been in India selling the benefits of Australian-produced uranium to India, prompting many in the community to ask about the industry's potential in Queensland," Mr Newman said in a statement.

"It's been 30 years since there was uranium mining in this State and in that time the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia have carved out successful uranium industries that deliver jobs and properity to their regions," he added.

Queensland stopped mining uranium upon the closure of the Mary Kathleen mine in 1982.

Queensland has 80 uranium mine potential sites, located mostly in the north-west. valued at $18 billion.

"Queensland has it. Let's sell it," Tony McGrady, Mt. Isa mayor and former Queensland Labor mines minister, had earlier said.

"The Federal Labor Government supports the mining and export of uranium, and the Opposition does, and every other state and territory - all except Queensland," Mr. McGrady said.

A three-member committee will oversee the state's uranium mining resumption, and has been tasked to report to Parliament in three months.

Mr. Newman, however, clarified that Queensland will not develop nuclear power or allow the disposal of nuclear waste in the state.

Resumption of uranium mining operations could take more than a year, the Queensland Premier said.

"With the Prime Minister's statement about uranium exports to India, there is no earthly reason why Queenslanders should miss out on the economic opportunities and the jobs from uranium mining in this state," Mr. Newman said.

As expected, opponents to uranium mining immediately jumped on the gun after Mr. Newman made his pronouncement on Monday.

Opposition to Uranium Mining

"This is not the time for Queensland to give a green light to yellowcake," said Australia Conservation Foundation (ACF) Northern Australia Acting Manager Andrew Picone.

"There is no compelling economic case, there is no accepted social license and the lessons of Fukushima need to be addressed not ignored.

"This industry is unsafe, unwelcome and under-performing."

MP Shane Knuth, likewise, said people will feel betrayed by the sudden policy reversal of the Newman government.

"This is a decision that should have been made before the election," he said.

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Queensland Gov't Mulls Lifting Uranium Ban - Report