Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles, today delivered the keynote address to the Mining in the Territory conference, where he revealed the 2017/18 financial year was a record-breaker for the value of mineral production in the NT.
The figures were driven by substantial increases in production and the expansion of some Territory mines, creating jobs for Territorians, as well as good market prices for many of the resources found in the NT.
Data shows the value of mineral production in the Territory for the year 2017/18 totalled $4.49 billion a 24 per cent increase on last year, which was a record at $3.63 billion. This is the first time the figure has passed the $4 billion mark.
The figures include a 30 per cent increase in bauxite production to a record 12 million tonnes, a 24 per cent increase in gold production to 600,000 ounces, and increases in zinc and manganese production of more than 15 per cent.
Mining the Territory is part of NT Resources Week, which will take place at the Darwin Convention Centre this week and also includes the South East Asia Australia Offshore & Onshore Conference and Building the Territory.
Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles:
The Territory Labor Governments number one priority is creating local jobs.
This significant growth in our mining sector is creating jobs and supporting Territory businesses, including Aboriginal Territorians - bauxite mining at Nhulunbuy reached record levels of production partly because of the additional bauxite being produced from the new Aboriginal-owned-and-operated Gulkula mine.
Our government is doing everything we can to unlock more private investment and further grow our economy by delivering on major projects including new mines.
There are a number of new mining projects across the Territory actively and successfully progressing through the approvals process.
The seven mining projects with Major Project status - including five proposed mines in central Australia have the potential to deliver up to $5.7 billion in capital expenditure, 3000 jobs during construction and 2000 jobs during operations.
These are exciting times for mining in the Territory.
