Uranium mining will be allowed in the Australian state of Queensland after the state government overturned 23 years of prohibition. The state has not produced uranium since 1982.

Western Australia is a step closer to opening its first uranium mine with the announcement of the state government's final environmental approval of Toro Energy's proposed Wiluna mine. The project is now awaiting a final go-ahead from the Australian federal government.

The Australian government is expanding the country's production of medical radioisotopes and constructing a demonstration waste treatment plant for managing the subsequent radioactive by-products.

An Australian uranium trader is celebrating its first shipment of uranium from Australia to China, which it claims signals the start of a significant opportunity for Australian uranium producers.

Cameco has agreed to buy the Yeelirrie uranium project in Western Australia from BHP Billiton for $430 million. While describing the deposit as "promising," Cameco plans to reassess resources there.

The expansion of the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine is in doubt after BHP Billiton put off approving the project in order to investigate less capital-intensive development options.

A cooperation agreement in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has been signed between Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The accord could lead to the supply of Australian uranium to fuel the UAE's forthcoming nuclear power reactor fleet.

Japanese trading house Itochu Corporation has agreed to form a strategic alliance with Australia's Alliance Resources. The transaction could, pending the results on ongoing litigation, fund the construction of a stand-alone in-situ leach operation at the Four Mile uranium deposit in South Australia.

Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended that the state's first uranium mine, Toro Energy's Wiluna, be allowed to go ahead.

France's Areva is teaming up with Japan's Mitsubishi to explore for uranium in Australia. The move could lead to the formation of a joint venture, should promising deposits be identified.

Work is set to commence on the construction of the boxcut and decline for an exploration project that could eventually see Energy Resources of Australia's (ERA) Ranger uranium mine become an underground operation.

Australia has taken a step nearer to setting up a national facility for the management of its radioactive waste with the passage of new legislation by the country's senate.