In December 2013, Leach Tank 1 at the Ranger uranium mine failed, resulting in the spill of around 1400 cubic metres of acidic slurry, which was contained within the site.

ERA notified the Department of Mines and Energy and submitted an incident report under the Mining Management Act.

The Australian government’s Supervising Scientist concluded that the spill did not result in any adverse environmental or health impacts.

The NT Department of Mines and Energy completed a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, has decided it would not be in the public interest to prosecute ERA under the Mining Management Act.

ERA welcomed the news and said it had fully cooperated with all investigations.

The incident suspended processing at Ranger for six months and ERA has since implemented a process safety improvement action plan, which has been audited quarterly by government-appointed consultants.