Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Bauxite Mine Officially Opens To Boost Economy In Far North Queensland

Victor P Taffa

Economy of Cape York Peninsula has been boosted with the official opening of Rio Tinto’s Amrun bauxite mine, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk describing it as a great day for the region and the state.

Premier Palaszczuk helped to officially open the mine, with the $2.6 Billion Amrun Project supporting hundreds of jobs across the Cape and injecting millions of dollars at a local, State and national level.

“Rio Tinto’s Amrun bauxite mine has secured 2,000 ongoing jobs for the Cape, including 349 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, since the project started in late 2015 jobs for Weipa and also at Rio Tinto’s Gladstone refinery.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“This is a great day for the entire region, and my Government will continue to support the resources sector.”

“Amrun Project and all of Rio Tinto’s operations in Weipa and the surrounding area are also a testament to the outstanding relationship between the firm and the Traditional Owners of the western cape region.”

Minister for Mines Anthony Lynham said the resources industry directly employs more than 66,000 Queenslanders with thousands more employed in support industries.

“We know our massive resources is supporting our flourishing Queensland economy and helping to drive our great State towards a brighter future, which is why we’re proud to work with Rio Tinto.” Minister Lynham said.

“Queensland is the largest global exporter of metallurgical coal, and one of the world’s largest producers of bauxite, zinc, lead and LNG because my Government invests in and supports our resources sector.”

“We’re driving this upturn in revenue generation because it supports employment, schools, hospitals, roads and our infrastructure across Queensland.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

 

Abbreviations:

LNG                Liquefied Natural Gas