Australian state votes in poll that could bring uranium mine ban

PERTH, Australia, Sept 6, 2008 (AFP)

Voters in Western Australia went to the polls Saturday in a ballot that could see a formal ban slapped on uranium mining in the mineral-rich state that drives the whole nation's economy.

Premier Alan Carpenter has vowed to enshrine a ban on mining yellowcake in law if he is re-elected, a move that industry lobby groups say could cost Australia the chance to become the world's biggest uranium producer.