Canberra, Nov 16 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's decision to push for uranium exportation to India might be the outcome of a deal struck with big miners over the Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT), Fortescue Metals Group Chief Executive Neville Power speculated.
"It's no coincidence I guess that BHP will be the largest beneficiary of exporting uranium so maybe the deal from the MRRT continues and what we're seeing is just payback for the support of the MRRT," The Age quoted Power, as saying.
India has refused to sign, fearing it may need to defend itself against nuclear neighbours in the future.
However, Gillard seems to have changed her stance on uranium exportation.
Australian uranium miners have come out in support of the move and the United States have already agreed to export uranium to India.
Power asserted that BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in South Australia would be benefited the most if the growing Indian market was opened up.
"It is remarkable that Xstrata, BHP and Rio Tinto have not said a thing about the MRRT and if in fact they are going to pay the lion's share of it as the treasurer has suggested, then why aren't they complaining about that?", he said.
Fortescue will pay a minimal amount under the MRRT, but has opposed the tax since its inception and has been highly critical of the federal government for freezing exploration and junior miners out of negotiations over the tax.
"All I know is that there was a deal done between BHP, Rio Tinto and Xstrata with Julia Gillard to bring the MRRT in - those three companies have not said a peep about the MRRT," Power said.
"Now out of the blue Julia has decided that it would be a great idea to export uranium and free that up for Australia so who knows perhaps it's got to do with the development of Olympic Dam," he added.
Power said Fortescue supported any measure to develop the Australian mining industry including the exportation of uranium to India. (ANI)
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