Mining projects in Australia await the end of wild rivers laws

Miners are dusting off plans to develop Cape York, buoyed by the prospect that Queensland would scrap laws protecting "wild" rivers and boost economic activity across the peninsula.

Bauxite miner Cape Alumina is assessing the viability of its $1.2 billion Pisolite Hills project, which was stalled by a 2010 declaration over the Wenlock River.

Chinese aluminium giant Chalco also remains keen to develop bauxite deposits near the Aboriginal community of Aurukun, on the far northwest coast of the peninsula.

The Australian revealed yesterday that the state Liberal National Party government would develop a Cape York statutory regional plan to map out land-use areas across far north Queensland and encourage economic development.

It plans to repeal the controversial wild rivers law brought in by Labor. Typically, these designate a 1km buffer around rivers, putting them off-limits to high-impact activities including intensive mining and agriculture.

A consultation committee, which will invite public submissions, will be established to guide the process. It is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Cape Alumina chief executive officer Graeme Sherlock said the Pisolite Hills project, while formally still on hold, was now more likely to proceed.

Chalco Australia chief representative Daniel Zhou said the company was in regular discussions with the Newman government.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said there were "unquestionably" areas in Cape York where bauxite mining was appropriate. "It's where you draw the boundary between that and the areas that need to be protected that is always contentious." But Greens environment spokeswoman Larissa Waters yesterday said she would lobby federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to invoke powers under the existing Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to make heritage declarations for the river systems.

"On a cursory glance, many, if not all of the rivers, would have no difficulty meeting at least one of the criteria required for heritage listing," Senator Waters said.

She would ramp up pressure on Labor to protect Cape York and Gulf of Carpentaria river systems. Mr Burke last night did not rule out using his powers under the EPBC Act but he told The Australian: "I have always made clear that there won't be a national or World Heritage listing in Cape York without traditional-owner consent."