Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has met the owners of three of the state’s largest West Coast mines in China, as the industry waits on decisions over projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Rockliff met executives from Rosebery Mine owner MMG and Grange Resources, which runs the Savage River iron ore operation.
He also met the Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture, which runs the Renison Tin Mine.
“The confidence these companies continue to show in Tasmania through ongoing investment is a testament to the quality of our workforce, the strength of our mining sector and our reputation as a stable and attractive place to do business,” he said in a statement.
“From critical minerals and tin to iron ore and base metals, Tasmania is supplying the resources the world needs.”
Asked whether anything had been signed or agreed during the meetings, Acting Premier Guy Barnett said the premier “will have more to say on his return”.
Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said two major projects were “locked in and public”. Both were announced in recent months.
They are the $400 million reopening of Mount Lyell and Grange’s $287 million underground expansion at Savage River.
Mostogl said Bluestone’s project to reprocess old tailings at Renison was going through community consultation, with a final investment decision likely next year.
The state government says the project would create up to 400 construction jobs and about 75 ongoing roles.
MMG’s plans to extend the life of the Rosebery Mine, which the government says employs more than 700 workers and contractors, are also awaiting a final investment decision.
The mine’s existing tailings dams are nearing capacity and MMG is seeking approval for new storage options.
Mostogl said he expected decisions on both projects within 12 months. He put the total investment pipeline, including projects yet to be approved, at “nearly a billion dollars”.
“When mining does well, regional Tasmania does well,” he said.
Barnett said mining and mineral processing supported 6,800 jobs and made up more than 60% of Tasmania’s exports.
