Indian govt. delegation visits Huntley’s bauxite mines, seeks Australian collaboration

Union Minister of Steel and Mines, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar met Western Australian Premier, Mr Colin Barnet in latter's office in West Perth, Australia, last week Friday. Tomar is leading a delegation of the Indian mining industry to Sydney for Asia Pacific Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) 2015, one of the world's largest mining event. Other members include Director General of Geological Survey of India, CMD NMDC, CMD MECL, and other senior officers from PSUs and Mines Ministry.

The delegation also visited Huntley mines, the world's second largest bauxite mine with production of 25 million tones. There the delegation learnt about the state-of-the-art technology and automation being used.

This was followed by a visit to the fully automated operational centre of Rio Tinto, where from the company operates its 15 mines at Pilbara, 1500 kilometre away from Perth. Total production from these 15 mines is 330 million tones. Officials from the company explained how automation is being used to manage operations of mines, rails and ports, and how this has helped them improve efficiency and reduce cost of production.

Shri Tomar highlighted the growing closeness in Indo-Australian relations. He emphasized the need for strengthening business relations in the mineral sector for mutual benefit, the geology being similar in two countries.

He further explained the mineral sector reforms undertaken by the Government of India in the recent past to facilitate growth by introducing full transparency in the grant of mineral concessions through auctions. This is an opportune time for Australia to make investments in Indian mining sector, he remarked. He apprised the Western Australia government about the progress of upcoming auctions and invited Australian companies to take part in the auctions. The reforms also aim at boosting mineral exploration in the country and development of the mining affected areas. Shri Tomar sought collaboration with Australian companies in the exploration sector and his proposal was well received by them.

Hon'ble Premier of WA expressed keen interest in the Indian mining sector and assured to take necessary steps for mutual benefit of the two nations.