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Iconic Mine Sites/Ranger
Ranger

Ranger

By
NT, Kakadu Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) Updated July 2026

Ranger was a uranium mine located in the Northern Territory, surrounded by Kakadu National Park. Processing operations ceased and the site is undergoing rehabilitation.

Commodity

Uranium

Owner

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA)

Operator

Energy Resources of Australia

Operating Status

closed

Mining Method

Open pit

History

The Ranger uranium mine was located in the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory, approximately 250km east of Darwin. Discovered in 1969, the mine operated from 1981 to 2012 as an open-pit operation, producing uranium oxide (yellowcake) for export. Energy Resources of Australia (ERA, majority owned by Rio Tinto) operated the mine. Processing continued from stockpiled ore until 2021. The site is now in a major rehabilitation phase.

Why It's Iconic

Ranger was one of Australia's most significant uranium operations and is notable for its location adjacent to a World Heritage-listed national park, with ongoing rehabilitation work.

Scale and Production

Ranger produced over 132,000 tonnes of uranium oxide over its operating life, making it one of the world's most significant uranium mines. Annual production peaked at approximately 5,500-6,000 tonnes of U3O8.

Equipment

Historical: CAT haul trucks, excavators and loaders (open pit)Fixed plant including crushers, grinding mills and leaching circuitsTailings management infrastructureWater treatment and management systems

Technology and Autonomous Systems

Hydrometallurgical processing for uranium recoveryAdvanced water management and treatmentEnvironmental monitoring systemsRehabilitation and tailings management technology

Processing Infrastructure

Ranger processed ore through a conventional acid leach circuit to produce uranium oxide (U3O8) yellowcake. The plant had a capacity of approximately 3 million tonnes per annum. Processing from stockpiled ore continued after mining ceased in 2012.

Workforce

At peak, approximately 300-400 employees. The operation was primarily residential, with workers based in Jabiru — a purpose-built town within Kakadu National Park boundaries.

Common Roles

Process techniciansEnvironmental officersRehabilitation crewsFixed plant maintainersSupervisors

Common Rosters

8 days on 6 days off

Major Milestones

  • 1969: Uranium deposit discovered
  • 1981: Production begins
  • 2012: Mining ceases, processing from stockpiles continues
  • 2021: Processing ceases
  • Ongoing: Major rehabilitation and closure in progress

Interesting Facts

  • Located within the boundaries of Kakadu National Park
  • Now in a major rehabilitation phase with no active mining
  • Produced over 132,000 tonnes of uranium oxide
  • The purpose-built town of Jabiru housed the workforce
  • One of Australia's most environmentally regulated mining operations
  • Rehabilitation must return the site to a standard compatible with World Heritage-listed Kakadu

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