Paul Harriss: Site Works Start at Riley Creek

Under the Liberal Government, the mining industry has a future and the North-West has a future.

We are committed to tackling the jobs crisis which is in stark contrast to the former Labor-Green Government, which left a legacy of unemployment across Tasmania.

It is good news to see the start of preliminary site work at the Riley Creek Mine.

We strongly support Venture Minerals in this important first stage of what will be a much larger project, with future plans to mine for iron ore at Livingstone and tin, tungsten and iron ore at Mount Lindsay.

The mining leases, environmental approvals and council permits for the Riley Creek site have been granted and a challenge by the Save the Tarkine environmental group was rightly dismissed in the Federal Court.

The proposed Lindsay Mine represents an important long term project for Tasmania, with up to 200 jobs created once it becomes operational.

There can be no doubt the Liberal Government is committed to creating jobs and growing key industries like mining.

Mining contributes more than $800 million annually to Tasmania’s gross state product and, together with our mineral processing sector, employs more than 5,000 Tasmanians.

The Liberal Government is the strongest and most consistent supporter of Tasmania’s mining industry.

That’s why we don’t support any further restrictions in mining or locking up any more land.

There is still some work to do before a final decision is made to commence mining at Riley Creek but I congratulate Venture Minerals on taking this very important step forward.
Paul Harriss, Minister for Resources