13 September 2012

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam today welcomed news that Shree Minerals had been granted a mining lease for its $20 million Nelson Bay project south-west of Smithton.

“This is a welcome announcement that will see not only the benefits in terms of construction, but also the creation of more than 120 jobs in the long term,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“Following the recent downturn in both vegetable processing and the timber industry, this is just what this region needs to go forward.”

Mayor Quilliam said with the new powdered milk processing plant beginning to take milk this weekend, it was full steam ahead for Circular Head.

“While the Shree Minerals project requires further Federal Government approval and the State approval is being appealed, I’m confident with this lease being granted that the amount of work that has gone in to this project won’t have been a waste of time,” he said.

“There are many flow-on effects from this project that include the possibility that the company will be processing and exporting magnetite and ore hematite at Port Latta, which would further boost its viability.”

The project has approval from the Environment Protection Authority and Council but still requires approval from the Federal Government. The Tarkine National Coalition has lodged an appeal with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribinual, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.