ISSN 1833-1831
Tel: 08 8672 5920 http://cooberpedyregionaltimes.wordpress.com Thursday 1 December 2016 STATE GOVERNMENT THROWS COOBER PEDY A SHORT LIFELINE At the Country Cabinet Morning Tea held at the Italian Club in Coober Pedy on Tuesday 22 November, Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock announced a boost to local employment.
“More than 60 jobs will be created in the state’s Far North through a new mining and processing operation near Coober Pedy, supported by a $397,306 State Government grant through the Regional Development Fund (RDF)”, Mr Brock told guests at the Country Cabinet presentation.
The Cairn Hill operation, owned and managed by Cu-River Mining Australia Pty Ltd, will focus on extracting and processing high grade magnetite iron ore containing residual copper from the Cairn Hill Mine, 55 kilometres south of Coober Pedy.
The processed ore will be exported under agreement to China.
The operation will use innovative extraction and processing techniques to optimise the mineral extraction process, whilst minimising risks associated with commodity prices by targeting the more stable-priced commodities of magnetite and copper.
The grant will assist in establishing the Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock infrastructure required for the operation announces funding to support the Cairn Hill including the processing plant, road upgrades Iron Ore mine, with Minister John Rau for heavy vehicle traffic, bores, water lines, and electrical supply. In response to community queries that FIFO workers may also be brought in from China, Cu-River Mining Australia Pty Ltd is a privately the spokesperson said, “Local employees will owned exploration and mining company which be preferentially sourced. Where additional purchased the Cairn Hill mine near Coober Pedy employees come from is a decision for the in 2014 after Termite Resources went into company.” administration. Minister. Brock said, “The project will enhance That the life of the mine is only 14 the economic prosperity of Coober Pedy and months, is not 100% confirmed yet. It is improve the social wellbeing of the town and its generally understood though, that the surrounding areas.” operation at Cairn Hill will focus on sifting through the overburden left by the Mr Ning Liu, Corporate Service Manager, Cu- previous owner Termite Resources. River Mining Australia Pty Ltd said, “This infrastructure project will invest $1.5 million into 14 months work at Cairn Hill may be better the region and we thank the State Government than nothing, should Coober Pedy workers find for its contribution through the Regional themselves unemployed due to the financial Development Fund”. crisis at the DCCP. Council’s recently produced Business Plan stated that all capital works “Economic development is critical for the future projects would cease for 3 years. Although not of Coober Pedy – our mining operation will conclusive, this could be an indicator of imminent assist in addressing challenges such as declining jobs cuts at the council. population and unemployment in the community,” he said. Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock said, "This project [at Cairn Hill] is expected to “We aim to employ locally where possible and create 61 ongoing full time jobs in addition to 20 are committed to providing local Indigenous jobs during construction, which will have a people with long term sustainable employment significant, positive impact on the community opportunities,” said Mr. Ning Liu. and the state.” The Camp that was used by the Exact Mining Further to this a State Government company at Crowders Road in Coober Pedy is spokesperson told the Coober Pedy Regional currently unoccupied. Workers that come into Times on Monday that the creation of at least town for business at Cairn Hill are staying 61 positions is a condition of the funding. elsewhere. SERVING THE OPAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD SINCE 1982 7 DAYS WEATHER - Mild wind - warming
Editor - Margaret Mackay Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Tarcoola Andamooka * PO Box 275 Coober Pedy SA 5723 * Ph: (08) 8672 5920 Email: [email protected] * Next Newspapers DUGOUT Thursday 15 Dec 2016 HOLIDAYS