Kon Vatskalis MINISTER FOR RESOURCES
21 July 2010
Minister to Attend Resources Conference in Perth
Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis is in Perth this week to attend the 6th Australian Uranium Conference, as well as meet with the Western Australian Health Minister. The conference provides explorers, potential and actual miners of uranium to meet with the investment community. Mr Vatskalis will speak about the strength of the Territory’s exploration and mining industry, and what the Territory Government is doing to support and grow the industry. “The Territory Government is a strong supporter of our resources industry, with the mining and petroleum sector contributing to around 30% of the Territory economy,” Mr Vatskalis said. “The NT Government’s $14.4 million on Bringing Forward Discovery initiative has led to an exploration boom in the NT, with ABS figures showing the NT was the only jurisdiction to increase exploration expenditure to almost $150 million. “Bringing Forward Discovery provides explorers with new data and information to open up new areas of exploration and assisting companies to source additional funding for exploration and development.” Mr Vatskalis said the 2010 gathering will be the largest yet, with industry representatives from around Australia meeting in Fremantle to take part in the two day conference.
“The Director of the Northern Territory Geological Survey, Ian Scrimgeour, will present that latest geoscience data collected across the Territory, which companies can use to help guide their next exploration project.
“A number of Territory focussed companies including, Territory Uranium, Bondi Mining, Toro Energy, Thundelarra Exploration and Energy Metals, will give presentations regarding their NT based projects.”
Mr Vatskalis will also meet with a number of Perth based mining and exploration companies with operations in the Northern Territory
While in Perth Mr Vatskalis will meet with WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Dr Kim Hames, to discuss progress of the Tri-state renal agreement and E-health.
Contact: Maria Billias 0401 119 746