❓ Mr Grylls asks about the significance of Atlas Iron's Mt Webber mine opening and its role in regional development. The Minister highlights the importance of smaller iron ore producers and government support for the mining sector.
AnsweredQoN 581Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ATLAS IRON LTD
581. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
Can the minister
please explain the significance of the opening of Atlas Iron Ltd's Mt Webber
mine in the Pilbara in July, and how projects like these can drive the
government's regional development agenda?
581. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
Can the minister
please explain the significance of the opening of Atlas Iron Ltd's Mt Webber
mine in the Pilbara in July, and how projects like these can drive the
government's regional development agenda?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for Pilbara for an excellent question. Small and medium–tier iron ore
producers in Western Australia play a vital part in the economy of Western
Australia. On 15 July I had the privilege of opening Atlas Iron Ltd's
fifth iron ore mine—the most productive iron ore mine it has opened. Atlas
started with Pardoo, Mt Dove, Wodgina, Abydos and now, with Mt Webber, its
total production is forecast to be around 12 million tonnes per annum,
hopefully increasing to 15 million tonnes by 2015. The Mt Webber mine will not
only increase the production rate for Atlas Iron, but also reduce its overall
production costs, which is fairly important when the iron ore price is lower
than we would like.
Western Australia is
blessed with a wealth of minerals, which contribute $114 billion of export
earnings to Western Australia, and, of course, iron ore is a major contributor
to that $114 billion. We hear of the bigger companies, such as Rio Tinto, BHP
Billiton Ltd and recently Fortescue
Metals Group, and Roy Hill, which will soon be on the agenda; but smaller
players like Atlas Iron play a vital role in mining some of the smaller
deposits, possibly even stranded deposits. Over the next decade I see Mt Webber
being a critical addition to the list of iron ore mines in Western Australian
and a major player in the prosperity of not only Western Australia but also the
people of Western Australia. The state government cannot control commodity
prices, but it can make sure there is certainty around operating in Western
Australia. Through schemes such as the exploration incentive scheme and the
mining rehabilitation fund, and by streamlining our approvals and engaging
positively with the mining sector, the state government is doing its best to
make sure there is lots of certainty for the industry. The government is committed
to supporting mining in Western Australia, and smaller iron ore companies like
Atlas Iron will play a vital role in the state. I congratulate Kalgoorlie
School of Mines graduates such as Atlas Iron's chairman, David Flanagan,
and chief executive officer, Ken Brinsden, for investing in Western Australia.
for Pilbara for an excellent question. Small and medium–tier iron ore
producers in Western Australia play a vital part in the economy of Western
Australia. On 15 July I had the privilege of opening Atlas Iron Ltd's
fifth iron ore mine—the most productive iron ore mine it has opened. Atlas
started with Pardoo, Mt Dove, Wodgina, Abydos and now, with Mt Webber, its
total production is forecast to be around 12 million tonnes per annum,
hopefully increasing to 15 million tonnes by 2015. The Mt Webber mine will not
only increase the production rate for Atlas Iron, but also reduce its overall
production costs, which is fairly important when the iron ore price is lower
than we would like.
Western Australia is
blessed with a wealth of minerals, which contribute $114 billion of export
earnings to Western Australia, and, of course, iron ore is a major contributor
to that $114 billion. We hear of the bigger companies, such as Rio Tinto, BHP
Billiton Ltd and recently Fortescue
Metals Group, and Roy Hill, which will soon be on the agenda; but smaller
players like Atlas Iron play a vital role in mining some of the smaller
deposits, possibly even stranded deposits. Over the next decade I see Mt Webber
being a critical addition to the list of iron ore mines in Western Australian
and a major player in the prosperity of not only Western Australia but also the
people of Western Australia. The state government cannot control commodity
prices, but it can make sure there is certainty around operating in Western
Australia. Through schemes such as the exploration incentive scheme and the
mining rehabilitation fund, and by streamlining our approvals and engaging
positively with the mining sector, the state government is doing its best to
make sure there is lots of certainty for the industry. The government is committed
to supporting mining in Western Australia, and smaller iron ore companies like
Atlas Iron will play a vital role in the state. I congratulate Kalgoorlie
School of Mines graduates such as Atlas Iron's chairman, David Flanagan,
and chief executive officer, Ken Brinsden, for investing in Western Australia.
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