Western Australia is set to get its first uranium mine after the Federal Government granted environmental approval to the Wiluna uranium project.

Subject to 36 strict conditions, the project will now go ahead after Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, determined that the project will not inflect excessive environmental damage during mining and beyond the life of the mine.

"My decision comes after a rigorous environmental assessment," Mr Burke said.

"In considering the proposal I received expert advice from Geoscience Australia, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, and the Supervising Scientist.

"These expert agencies provided advice to ensure that the proposal meets world's best practice environmental standards for uranium mining, and that the risks to the environment, including risks from radiation and to groundwater and surface water, can be acceptably managed.

"The 36 strict conditions I have put in place will guard against any negative impacts from radiation or to groundwater and surface water, and include precautions to ensure that once the mine is closed, the site is safe for humans and animals, and is non-polluting.”

State Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Marmion, said that Federal approval comes five months after the State Government had granted the project approval.

“This announcement is hugely significant, as it’s the first uranium project to receive State and Federal environmental approval in WA and paves the way for a new industry in this State,” Mr Marmion said.

Before construction works can begin, a range of further approvals are required, including assessment of a detailed Mining Proposal and Closure Plan by the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

The Greens wasted no time in condemning the decision, with Senator Scott Ludlam saying that neither parties could be trusted to act in the best interests of the environment or public health and argued that the mine would not be financially viable.

"While the Minister has placed 36 conditions on the approval, there is simply no safe way to mine uranium on a lake bed that floods. This is a rookie company with no operating mines. The WA Government got it badly wrong and the Federal Government just blew its chance to fix this mess,” Senator Ludlam said.

"Under new mine closure guidelines, Toro has to find 100% of the mine closure cost, around $150 million, before it has raised the $300 million to open it. With uranium prices plummeting by more than two thirds since its peak in 2007, it is highly unlikely that Toro can open, maintain and close a mine abiding by the necessary conditions and environmental standards.

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