McArthur River Mine Approval Welcomed

The Territory Opposition have welcomed the Martin Government's belated decision to approve Xstrata's plans to expand its McArthur River lead and zinc mine.

"There should never have been any doubt about this valuable expansion going ahead,” says Terry Mills, Deputy Opposition Leader.

"The economic benefits to the Territory's economy over the long term should have made the green light for expansion a straightforward decision for the Labor Government.

"Instead the Government dithered for months and in the process put the project at unnecessary risk, causing great angst amongst the mine's workforce.

"Thankfully Territorians will now benefit from the 1700 – direct and indirect –jobs and all of Australia will reap the rewards of the $13 billion worth of economic benefits the mine will bring over the next 25 years.

"The investment in the local economy by the mine's use of Territory-based suppliers is particularly important.

"What this decision does highlight is that the much vaunted independence of the EPA is nothing more than Government spin.”

Back in June the Opposition revealed the EPA wasn't going to be independent.

The truth is that the EPA will not be independent at all. I have in my possession documents that reveal that the Government's preferred model is part of the Minister's department. No extra money will be put aside to make the EPA work. (Fay Miller, Opposition Mines and Energy spokesperson, 15th June 2006)

"The fact the Minister has simply ignored the EPA's advice on the McArthur River mine expansion confirms the veracity of my colleagues statement.”

2006-10-13