Business and community leaders are describing the Queensland Government's call for fresh expressions of interest to mine rich bauxite deposits at Aurukun on Cape York as giving the indigenous people of the region new hope, prosperity and jobs.
The USD 1 billion mine has the potential to employ 700 people during construction and up to 600 during operations. The successful applicant will not have to build an alumina refinery which the last successful tenderer Chinese aluminium giant Chalco was unable to commit to.
The Government has opened an Expressions of Interest process for the development rights to the bauxite resource closing on February 13th 2013. A short list of five proponents will be selected and the successful company chosen by the end of 2013. The Aurukun Shire Council, the Queensland Resources Council, Advance Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Cape York Sustainable Futures have applauded the decision while environmentalists are opposed.
Mr Jeff Seeney deputy premier said that the Government was going to the open market to find proponents with the capability, capacity and experience to develop a bauxite mine and associated infrastructure. The Government's key objective is to maximize the benefits and returns from the project to the Aurukun community and native title holders as well as maximizing the financial returns to the state. We'll also ensure the project is delivered in a timely manner at no cost and no risk to the state."
Mr Seeney said that the decision had the backing of the Aurukun community and traditional owners and had drawn strong corporate interest from Australia and overseas.
Mr David Kempton member for Cook said that the mine would bring enormous benefits to the people of Aurukun. Earlier this year Chalco indicated that it was interested in bidding again after spending an estimated USD 100 million on the first bid in 2007 which it abandoned in 2011.
Despite the losses, and a statement in a report that it had no plans to continue with the Aurukun project, Chalco has remained in contact with the Queensland Government about the leases and has maintained a relationship with the Aurukun community.