Ranger wash out as Freightlink finalises NT repairs

<p>Energy Resouces Australia has notified its investors that production from its Ranger uranium operation could fall by up to 30% following intense flooding across parts of the Northern Territory over the last 10 days.</p> <p>ERA said this morning (Thursday, March 8) that more than 850 mm of rain had fallen over its Ranger operation in the week to March 4, 750 mm in one 72-hour period alone.</p> <p>The company said its first quarter production would be between 20% and 30% lower than the same period last year.</p> <p>The wet weather had disrupted other mining and rail operations, including closing the Adelaide-Darwin rail line between Katherine and Darwin.</p> <p>Freightlink chief executive John Fullerton said repair work was being completed today and that the line would be re-opened tomorrow.</p> <p>In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, ERA declared <em>force majeure</em> &#8211 flagging its inability to meet its sales contract requirements &#8211 having shut down its mining and processing operations since February 27.</p> <p>Mining operations recommenced this morning, but the processing facility was expected to take up to a week to re-open.</p> <p>ERA, which produces 11% of global uranium, also expects the flooding to have an impact on its figures in the second half of 2007.</p> <br />