FF
Mining
Following the discovery of gold near Pine Creek in 1871 many Chinese and European people came into the Katherine/Adelaide River region. However, it was not until the 1940s when Joseph Callanan began small scale mining of silver, lead and zinc that mining started in this area. It was the discovery of uranium, however, that focused large scale exploration and mining activity, and national attention, on the headwaters of the South Alligator River. In 1953 Commonwealth Government surveys found a major deposit of uranium at Guratba (Coronation Hill). Its discovery coincided with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Thirteen uranium and gold mines were worked in the area between 1954 and 1964, including ones near Gunlom, El Sherana and Coronation Hill. At the peak of activity about 150 people lived in the area. In 1964 mining in the area stopped when contracts for the sale of uranium finished due to a world oversupply. Although only short-lived, uranium mining in the Gunlom area contributed to the economic development of the Top End. During the 1980s proposals for a gold, platinum and palladium mine at Coronation Hill and mineral exploration in the area created a national debate about local land use. Following extensive inquiries the Commonwealth Government decided that there should be no further mining in the area because of its cultural value to Jawoyn people and its significant environmental values.
FF
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
FF
Mining
Following the discovery of gold near Pine Creek in 1871 many Chinese and European people came into the Katherine/Adelaide River region. However, it was not until the 1940s when Joseph Callanan began small scale mining of silver, lead and zinc that mining started in this area. It was the discovery of uranium, however, that focused large scale exploration and mining activity, and national attention, on the headwaters of the South Alligator River. In 1953 Commonwealth Government surveys found a major deposit of uranium at Guratba (Coronation Hill). Its discovery coincided with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Thirteen uranium and gold mines were worked in the area between 1954 and 1964, including ones near Gunlom, El Sherana and Coronation Hill. At the peak of activity about 150 people lived in the area. In 1964 mining in the area stopped when contracts for the sale of uranium finished due to a world oversupply. Although only short-lived, uranium mining in the Gunlom area contributed to the economic development of the Top End. During the 1980s proposals for a gold, platinum and palladium mine at Coronation Hill and mineral exploration in the area created a national debate about local land use. Following extensive inquiries the Commonwealth Government decided that there should be no further mining in the area because of its cultural value to Jawoyn people and its significant environmental values.
FF
Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis
FF
FF
Gomphrena flaccida
FF
FFGrevillea dryandrisub sp. Dryandri
FF
FFGrey Whistler Pachycephala simplex race simplex
FF
FFIntermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
FF
FFLudwigia octovalvis
FF
FFMagpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata and chicks
FF
FFMelastoma malabathricum
FF
FFMerten's Water Monitor Varanus mertensi
FF
FFMetallic Brown Robber Fly Asilidae sp.
FF
FFMud-Dauber Wasp Nest Sphecidae sp.
FF
FFNarrow-necked Leaf Beetles Chrysomelidae sp.
feeding on
Hibbertia dealbata
FF
FFOrb Weaving Spider Argiope sp.
FF
FFOsbeckia australiana
FF
FFPachynema junceum
FF
FFPersoonia falcate
FF
FFPigmy Percher Nannodiplax rubra
FF
FFPlum Tree Creek Riverine North
FF
FFPlum Tree Creek
FF
FFPlum Tree Creek Riverine South
FF
FF 
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