A third new mining project in Tasmania’s Tarkine region is likely to gain approval soon, Premier Lara Giddings said.
Giddings said she expected Venture Minerals’ proposal for a $200 million tin mine at Mount Lindsay to be approved, creating 1000 jobs, The Examiner reported.
She said that developments like Venture's Riley Creek mine and the recently approved Shree Metals mine at Nelson Bay were signs that mining investment would grow in Tasmania now that the “dark cloud” of the Tarkine national heritage nomination had been removed.
Giddings made the comments yesterday while visiting Rocherlea's Welding Works, one of the businesses she says will benefit from the expanded mining industry.
“We have seen a little slowing of the mining industry in recent times and with that dark cloud that was hanging over the Tarkine there was a level of pessimism coming into the mining investment sector here in Tasmania,'' she said.
“But with that dark cloud now removed, we are seeing positive moves to mining investment in this state.''
Debate erupted over the application for mining developments in the region last year, with Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke rejecting a National Heritage listing for the area.
The ruling followed a long battle over development in the region, with environmental groups campaigning to have further mining activity banned.
However, Braddon Liberal MHA Adam Brooks said a proposed extension of South West World Heritage Wilderness Area and forest reserves in the North-East and North-West would block other potential mining sites.
“Some of Tasmania's most mineralised land will be locked up forever under the disastrous forestry deal,'' Brooks said.