Queensland Parliament sees business and job growth in the domestic bauxite sector

Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Premier of Queensland has said in the parliament that stronger commodity prices have resulted in a rise in job creation in the coal exploration sector. Similarly, jobs in the copper, zinc and bauxite sector would also stabilize with the ramp up of existing projects and the commissioning of new projects. She referred to Rio Tinto’s Amrun bauxite project which is under development and is expected to revolutionize the bauxite/alumina sector in Queensland.

“Employment fell slightly in the last six months of 2016, but should stabilise as operations at CuDeco’s Rocklands copper project ramp up. Altona’s Cloncurry copper is moving closer to development, MMG’s Dugald River zinc project is on track and Rio Tinto’s A$1.9-billion bauxite project, Amrun, is progressing,” she said.

According to Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham Queensland had the potential to emerge as the global leader in bauxite trade with huge reserves of good quality bauxite and the rare earth minerals of the Diamantina.

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“China's bauxite demand growth is forecast to be significant over the next 15 years as its own domestic supply runs out,” Lynham said.

He emphasised that China’s growing bauxite demand will open up real opportunities for Queensland’s bauxite producers in the Far North, with Rio Tinto’s Amrun expansion on Cape York and several upcoming smaller bauxite projects.

“Resources recovery is positive news for jobs and businesses in regional Queensland, as we continue to diversify our economy into the future,” he added.