Socio-economic aspects of uranium production in Australia

Australia's uranium industry can be described as providing ''benefits for the many, concerns for the few''. This paper reviews the benefits which the development of uranium mining has brought - and could bring -to the nation in the form of economic reward. It then discusses the more complex question of the implications of that development for its more immediate locality - in particular for the environment and the Aboriginal people. Here too it is seen that the gains have been considerable and have been recognized by the Aboriginals themselves. Nonetheless, people remain concerned and their anxieties are considered in this paper. (author)