Bill to facilitate mining in SA's Woomera THE federal government is moving to solve the Woomera dilemma - how to deal with a critical weapons testing area which happens to sit on top of great mineral wealth. Defence Minister Stephen Smith told parliament on Thursday the Woomera Prohibited Area, covering 127,000 square kilometres in outback South Australia, is Australia's most important military testing range. At the same time it overlaps one of the world's major mineral domains. The South Australian government has assessed that over the next decade about $35 billion worth of iron ore, gold and other minerals are potentially exploitable from inside the prohibited area. Mr Smith was introducing a bill - which follows three years of reviews and consultations - on how to deal with the dilemma. He said Defence would remain the prime user and existing rights, including those of traditional owners, would be maintained. A framework would be established that would provide industry with a level of certainty over Defence activity in the area. It would allow users to make commercial decisions with some assurance on when they would have to leave the area because of Defence activity. It would also establishes a board, headed by former ALP national president and senator Stephen Loosley, to ensure a balance between economic and security interests is maintained and indigenous and environmental interests are safeguarded. Debate on the Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2013 was adjourned.