South Australia’s nuclear royal commission is to inquire into enrichment, storage of waste and power generation, but not uranium mining.

The State Government has released draft terms of reference and announced there would be public consultation until March 13.

Premier Jay Weatherill says the inquiry will focus on three key areas, but the terms of reference had deliberately been kept general.

• SA takes first step to nuclear power
• India uranium deal faces legal challenge
• Nuclear experts put government on notice

“These are the broadest possible terms of reference … they won’t be settled for a further week,” he says.

“The only caveats really are the non-military uses will be the only things explored and it’s not our intention to suggest any retreat from the current involvement in uranium mining.”

The premier said it would be the broadest possible analysis of SA’s involvement and potential for future involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle.

“We think it’s important to go through what is a thorough process of debate and discussion in the community about this important issue,” he said.

When asked if the state were mindful of a looming federal deadline to deal with the issue of nuclear waste storage, he said: “We don’t think this is something that should be rushed.

“The Commonwealth’s been talking about nuclear waste storage for decades so I don’t think our timeline is going to threaten any key decisions.”

Before the year is out, nuclear fuel rods that are being reprocessed by the French are due to be returned to Australia and by 2020 more nuclear waste being reprocessed in the United Kingdom is due to be returned as well.