WA uranium mine gets go-ahead

The West Australian government has approved Canadian mining company Cameco's Yeelirrie uranium project in the state's midwest.

The Environmental Protection Authority recommended against approval last August because it failed to meet one of its nine key factors, the likely loss of some underground animal species.

The government had considered broader economic and social matters, as well as environmental factors, and the project approval was subject to 17 strict conditions, Environment Minister Albert Jacob said.