No refinery required for Aurukun bauxite mine: Govt

The Queensland LNP Government has taken the first concrete step towards its long-stated aim of exploiting the Aurukun bauxite resource in western Cape York.

This time around, however, the right to mine will not be tied to the requirement to build an alumina refinery.

Yesterday the Newman Government formally opened the Expressions of Interest process for the development rights of the 439mt reserve of in-situ bauxite.

Chalco inked a Development Agreement on 23 March 2007 under the Beattie Government. The proponent eventually vacated its lease, weighed down by the expense of an alumina refinery.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney, said development of an Aurukun refinery was pie in the sky.

“The previous government’s botched strategy of wanting to lease the bauxite to a company under the condition it established a refinery or expanded refinery capacity was never going to work.”

Although potential tenderers should note, development of the resource may not be all plain sailing, with land rights unresolved.

“The government will also consult with and seek the endorsement of the Aurukun community and the Traditional Owners for the new tender process,” Seeney said.

Expressions of interest in the Aurukun bauxite resource are required by 15 February, 2013. The Government said it wants to select a preferred proponent by the end of 2013.