WHILE the joint venture controlling a large bauxite deposit in the Kimberley region refuses to say how uneconomic a recent study found the deposit to be, it appears keen to hang on to it for the long term.
The joint venture led by Rio Tinto alumina subsidiary Comalco, said an independent study on the Mitchell Plateau bauxite deposit came back “significantly” uneconomic under a mine and refine operation.
The State agreement under which the venture controls the resources stipulates a mine and refine operation to develop the deposit.
Despite this a spokesman for the joint venture said it wanted to extend control of the deposit past a September 30 deadline imposed by the WA Government.
The spokesman said that, while the deposit was currently uneconomic, it remained integral to the joint venture’s future plans and development depended on factors such as the long-term alumina price and infrastructure availability in the Kimberley.
A spokesman for State Development minister Clive Brown said the Minister was not keen to change the current arrangement and if an extension was given it would be short.