The Minister for Energy and Resources Bryan Green today urged people to turn out in support of Tasmania s mining industry at a public rally on the West Coast next month.
This is a great opportunity to show support for mining and highlight its importance to Tasmania, Mr Green said.
Mr Green said the rally would be held at Tullah on May the 25th.
We have a long and rich mining heritage and it should be promoted and celebrated rather than talked down endlessly by the Liberals and devalued by protesters.
Over the last 130 years minerals worth $150 billion in today s dollars have come from Tasmanian mines, primarily from the West Coast.
Mining is the mainstay of the Tasmanian economy and its importance to the State cannot be overstated.
The Government is focused as strongly as ever on providing our mining industry with the security and confidence it needs to continue to invest and grow.
The dramatic growth of mining jobs in Tasmania by 2000 in the past two years confirms the Government s confidence in the long term prospects for the industry.
The message is clear; Tasmania s mining industry is open for business.
The Federal Government s decision not to heritage list vast areas of the Tarkine removes a cloud of uncertainty that had been hanging over mining prospects in the area since the Liberals listed it for assessment in 2007.
That s why we fought so hard to prevent it happening, Mr Green said.
Mr Green said new mines planned by Venture Minerals would revitalise the Tullah township.
I have granted mining leases for the company s Riley mine and its Livingston project west of Tullah.
Venture is also finalising plans for its Mt Lindsay tin and tungsten mine nearby.
The Mt Lindsay mine alone will be worth $200 million and create up to 1000 jobs during construction.
The benefits to the West Coast and broader Tasmanian economy will be enormous.
For example the Riley mine will triple bulk mineral exports through the Burnie port and pour tens of millions of dollars into the Tasmanian economy, Mr Green said.
