❓ A parliamentary question investigates Mineral Resources Ltd's (MRL) discussions with the government regarding mining and the purchase of Cliffs Koolyanobbing operation, including potential conflicts of interest involving a former MRL employee now in a government role. The government confirms discussions and support for the sale through royalty rebates and port arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 1449Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has Mineral Resources Ltd (MRL) had any discussion with the Government regarding
mining the Bungalbin and J5 deposits as part of their negotiations in
purchasing the Cliffs Koolyanobbing operation? (2) If yes to (1), will mining be reconsidered for Bungalbin? (3) Is the Government a party to any closing conditions in the sale of the Cliffs project to MRL? (4) If yes to (3), what is the nature of these conditions? (5) Was Geoffrey Wedgwood, former Group Manager Internal/External Affairs for MRL and now Deputy Director General, Resources and Development at Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation involved in the sale of the Koolyanobbing project and assignment of government contracts to MRL? (6) If yes to (5), did he hold any shares or have any other financial interest in MRL at the time?
mining the Bungalbin and J5 deposits as part of their negotiations in
purchasing the Cliffs Koolyanobbing operation? (2) If yes to (1), will mining be reconsidered for Bungalbin? (3) Is the Government a party to any closing conditions in the sale of the Cliffs project to MRL? (4) If yes to (3), what is the nature of these conditions? (5) Was Geoffrey Wedgwood, former Group Manager Internal/External Affairs for MRL and now Deputy Director General, Resources and Development at Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation involved in the sale of the Koolyanobbing project and assignment of government contracts to MRL? (6) If yes to (5), did he hold any shares or have any other financial interest in MRL at the time?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 September 2018
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Premier
Response time
10 days
(1) Mineral Resources Limited did raise the mining of the Bungalbin and J5 deposits with the Government.
(2) No. Mineral Resources was advised of this.
(3) Yes. The Government is not a party to the agreement or arrangements between Cliffs and Mineral Resources, however it is understood that the provision of the agreed Government support was a condition to the agreement between the two parties.
(4) The Government agreed to provide support primarily by way of royalty rebates and concessional arrangements at Esperance Port.
(5) Yes, Mr Wedgwood was part of a government working group consisting of senior representatives from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Department of Transport, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Southern Ports Authority.
(6) I am advised that Mr Wedgwood did not own shares in MRL nor did he have any financial interest in MRL at that time.
(2) No. Mineral Resources was advised of this.
(3) Yes. The Government is not a party to the agreement or arrangements between Cliffs and Mineral Resources, however it is understood that the provision of the agreed Government support was a condition to the agreement between the two parties.
(4) The Government agreed to provide support primarily by way of royalty rebates and concessional arrangements at Esperance Port.
(5) Yes, Mr Wedgwood was part of a government working group consisting of senior representatives from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the Department of Transport, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and the Southern Ports Authority.
(6) I am advised that Mr Wedgwood did not own shares in MRL nor did he have any financial interest in MRL at that time.
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