Exploration drilling at Kintyre, one of the four projects conditionally excluded from Western Australia's uranium ban

A new poll shows that the majority of West Australians support lifting the state's ban on uranium mining, a move that could have significant implications for Australia's mining industry and economy. The survey, commissioned by the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) and carried out by market research consultancy Painted Dog Research, found that over half of the 806 respondents—57%—would support the lifting of the ban if the Labor Party retains power in the upcoming general election. This marks a stark shift from a 2023 industry poll where only 49% of respondents supported uranium mining.

AMEC CEO Warren Pearce highlighted the public's growing understanding of the value of uranium mining, stating that it can "create more jobs, attract investment, diversify the economy from iron ore and gold, and create a new billion dollar commodity export market." He emphasized that Australia has rich uranium resources, which could make it a global leader in this sector. Pearce also pointed out that the state's current ban, implemented in 2017, has hindered the exploration and development of these resources, suggesting that now is the perfect time to reconsider the ban and tap into the potential of uranium mining.

The poll found that only 54% of respondents knew that uranium has been mined safely in Australia for over 50 years, underscoring the public's limited awareness of the industry's history and benefits. Pearce praised the survey, noting that the results demonstrate "West Australians can see the value" in uranium mining and "point to a community understanding that WA is a mining state, with the professionalism and skill to deal with uranium mining in a safe and responsible way."

Western Australia's general election is set for March 8, with the Labor Party leading the race. If the party retains power, the proposed ban on uranium mining could face reconsideration, aligning with global trends that favor the reconsideration of bans in other regions. The potential economic benefits, including job creation and diversification of the mining industry, are expected to be significant. This shift in public opinion could pave the way for a much-needed update to Australia's mining policy, potentially revitalizing the sector and boosting the state's economy.

The findings of this poll suggest that public support for uranium mining is rising, signaling a potential shift in attitudes toward this long-standing resource extraction method. As the debate over uranium mining continues, stakeholders in the mining industry are closely monitoring these developments to capitalize on the growing public sentiment.