Geologists examining an ore sample with a Geiger counter at Rum Jungle

Australia’s first large uranium mine opened at Rum Jungle, 100 kilometres south of Darwin, in 1954. The mine supplied uranium to the United States and British nuclear weapons programs until it closed in 1971. The mining operations polluted the environment, especially the Finniss River and destroyed important Aboriginal places. Efforts to bring the river and surrounding land back to a healthy condition continue to this day.