Rum Jungle history

The Rum Jungle area and uranium mineralisation was initially discovered by Goyder’s survey party in 1869.  It was unrecognised until 1949 when a local farmer and prospector John (Jack) White collected green and yellow rock samples.

Exploration of the area took place between 1954 and 1971, by the Australian Government.

The Rum Jungle Mine operated from 1953 until 1971 and produced:

• 3,530 tonnes of uranium oxide
• 20,000 tonnes of copper concentrate.

The mine operation practices created legacy landforms, groundwater and surface water contamination. It also resulted in significant AMD issues and impacts to the East Branch of the Finniss River.

The site is contained within area 4 of the Finniss River Land Claim (1981) but was excluded from grant to the Finniss River Land Trust due to the concerns of the joint traditional Aboriginal owners, the Kungarakan and Warai people. No decision on the potential grant of the Rum Jungle site has been made due to the site’s current environmental condition.

The Australian Government attempted to rehabilitate the site from 1983 to 1986, spending $18.6 million. While the original rehabilitation works were deemed successful, more recent studies have documented the gradual deterioration of the original rehabilitation works, particularly in the context of advancements made in mine rehabilitation.

In 2009, further rehabilitation works commenced in partnership with the Australian and Territory governments, and the Kungarakan and Warai people.

For information about the remediation planning since 2009, read the rehabilitation plan.

For historical completed study documents from 2012 to 2016, email rumjungleproject@nt.gov.au.

Timeline

• 2022 - Stage 3 commenced under the Australian and NT governments federation funding agreement
• 2020 - Stage 2B completed
• 2017 - Stage 2A commenced
• 2013 - Stage 2 commenced under new NPA and completed in 2016
• 2009 - Australian and NT governments enter into four year NPA on the management of the former Rum Jungle Mine site; stage 1 commenced and completed in 2013
• 1983 - 1986 Australian Government rehabilitation
• 1971 - Rum Jungle Mine closure
• 1954 to 1971 - Historic mining activities in the area
• 1949 - Local farmer and prospector John (Jack) White collected green and yellow rock samples
• 1869 - Rum Jungle area and uranium mineralisation initial discovery by Goyder’s survey party.

Historical resources