Dr LIM - 1994-11-23
Mr Speaker, members would be aware of the decision by North Flinders Mines Ltd this week to commit $20m to the development of a new underground mine at the company's Kelly deposit in the Tanami Desert. As a result of the company's increased interest in the region, can the minister advise of plans by North Flinders Exploration to establish a new exploration base in Alice Springs?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, currently, North Flinders Mines Ltd is mining gold at The Granites and Dead Bullock Soak mineral leases in the Tanami Desert north-west of Alice Springs. Members would be aware that the company advised on Monday that its board had approved plans to develop a new underground mine at its Kelly deposit on the company's Dead Bullock Soak lease. Development work at the Kelly deposit is expected to begin in March 1995 and should be completed ready for production in September 1996. As the member for Greatorex suggests, that is a very welcome announcement. Indeed, the deposit adds some 300 000 oz to the company's present ore reserves. I am encouraged by the new mine development and the announcement of further improved job prospects in the mining sector. North Flinders Mines Ltd first announced its plan to mine 60 000 oz per annum for 6 years in its original plans in 1986. Following successful exploration in the region, North Flinders Mines Ltd expects now to mine at least 200 000 oz of gold per annum for the next 7 to 8 years. That is a welcome announcement indeed.
As a result of continued activity in the region, I am pleased to report that the company's exploration arm, North Flinders Exploration, will open a new Alice Springs office today. Previously, North Flinders Exploration was based in Adelaide but, from today, 6 geologists and up to 3 administrative staff will be located at the company's office in the Centrepoint building in Hartley Street, Alice Springs. I am informed that the decision to establish the Alice Springs office reflects the company's commitment to growth
Page 308
in the central Australian region. Certainly, the move will help generate new jobs, business expenditure and further exploration interest in the region.
I congratulate North Flinders Exploration and North Flinders Mines Ltd for their commitment to the mining industry in the Northern Territory. They are good examples of what can be achieved. North Flinders Exploration's opening of its new office in Alice Springs today will bring tangible benefits to the community in the form of more jobs. It will send a message of confidence to other mining exploration companies that we do have prospective areas in the Northern Territory. We have a very active and effective Department of Mines and Energy which is honing the services that it provides to the mining industry. Indeed, by combining the efforts of the mining industry and the Department of Mines and Energy, I hope that we hear more announcements of this kind in the future.
Page 309
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, currently, North Flinders Mines Ltd is mining gold at The Granites and Dead Bullock Soak mineral leases in the Tanami Desert north-west of Alice Springs. Members would be aware that the company advised on Monday that its board had approved plans to develop a new underground mine at its Kelly deposit on the company's Dead Bullock Soak lease. Development work at the Kelly deposit is expected to begin in March 1995 and should be completed ready for production in September 1996. As the member for Greatorex suggests, that is a very welcome announcement. Indeed, the deposit adds some 300 000 oz to the company's present ore reserves. I am encouraged by the new mine development and the announcement of further improved job prospects in the mining sector. North Flinders Mines Ltd first announced its plan to mine 60 000 oz per annum for 6 years in its original plans in 1986. Following successful exploration in the region, North Flinders Mines Ltd expects now to mine at least 200 000 oz of gold per annum for the next 7 to 8 years. That is a welcome announcement indeed.
As a result of continued activity in the region, I am pleased to report that the company's exploration arm, North Flinders Exploration, will open a new Alice Springs office today. Previously, North Flinders Exploration was based in Adelaide but, from today, 6 geologists and up to 3 administrative staff will be located at the company's office in the Centrepoint building in Hartley Street, Alice Springs. I am informed that the decision to establish the Alice Springs office reflects the company's commitment to growth
Page 308
in the central Australian region. Certainly, the move will help generate new jobs, business expenditure and further exploration interest in the region.
I congratulate North Flinders Exploration and North Flinders Mines Ltd for their commitment to the mining industry in the Northern Territory. They are good examples of what can be achieved. North Flinders Exploration's opening of its new office in Alice Springs today will bring tangible benefits to the community in the form of more jobs. It will send a message of confidence to other mining exploration companies that we do have prospective areas in the Northern Territory. We have a very active and effective Department of Mines and Energy which is honing the services that it provides to the mining industry. Indeed, by combining the efforts of the mining industry and the Department of Mines and Energy, I hope that we hear more announcements of this kind in the future.
Page 309
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016