The Queensland Government is planning ban uranium mining once more.

The proposal would overturn a 2012 decision that reinstated the practice.

The previous Newman Government overturned a 1982 ban soon after it got in, but the new Palaszczuk Labor Government has put Anthony Lynham in charge of the natural resources and mines portfolio, and he says uranium mining will not take place.

Queensland’s uranium deposits are worth an estimated $10 billion.

Dr Lynham is not expected to have to put the plan to Parliament, with the veto to be operated through departmental policy.

He says mining companies can continue to explore for uranium deposits, but they will not be approved for a mine.

“Resource companies can continue to apply for a generic exploration permit for minerals which allows them to explore for all minerals other than coal,’’ he said.

Several companies have set up future plans based on the former Newman Government’s uranium strategy action plan, which may now be scrapped.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) wants the government to judge uranium projects on their individual merits, instead of banning them outright.

“Before rushing to a decision, we would ask the government to consult the QRC and companies with uranium interests on its intentions concerning uranium,” the QRC said in a statement.

“This new Labor government has the opportunity to take advantage of the excellent work undertaken by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in the past few years to develop a world-leading regulatory framework for assessing and overseeing uranium mining projects.

“Reimposition of a blanket ban on uranium mining will come as a particular disappointment to the people of north-west Queensland who rightly see uranium mining as a valuable new jobs generator for the region,” it said.

“An option open to the government is only to consider uranium mining projects in the north west of the state where some of the most valuable uranium deposits are located.”

Opposition mines minister Andrew Cripps called the move a “knee jerk and ideological reaction”.