A new lobby group, which comprises five small mining companies in the Pilbara, is putting pressure on the Western Australian government to provide better infrastructure for smaller miners in the Pilbara region.
A new lobby group, which comprises five small mining companies in the Pilbara, is putting pressure on the Western Australian government to provide better infrastructure for smaller miners in the Pilbara region.
The North West Iron Ore Alliance includes Atlas Iron, BC Iron, Brockman Resources, FerrAus and Iron Ore Holdings.
The alliance is calling on the state government to build new infrastructure and pressure mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto to share their railways and ports.
An announcement from the North West Iron Ore Alliance is pasted below:
At its community launch in Port Hedland over the weekend, the North West Iron Ore Alliance announced it would work to bring junior companies together to fast-track and streamline the development of a successful and dynamic new iron ore industry in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The five members of the Alliance - Atlas Iron, BC Iron, Brockman Resources, FerrAus and Iron Ore Holdings - will cooperate on issues such as infrastructure development and access, statutory approvals and community development.
Former Member for Kalgoorlie and leading government relations consultant, Megan Anwyl, who has been appointed to act as independent chair for the Alliance, said collectively the members of the North West Iron Ore Alliance have the potential to deliver up to 50 million tonnes of iron ore per annum by 2014, generating approximately $165 million in annual State royalties.
"The development of a new generation junior iron ore industry in the Pilbara has the potential to bring significant benefits to both the Australian iron ore industry as a whole, and also to the economic and social development of the Pilbara and its towns," Ms Anwyl said.
"By working together, North West Iron Ore Alliance members have the potential to pool resources to make sure that the benefits from projects flow back to the people that live and work in the Pilbara.
These projects will generate significant employment and business opportunities in the Pilbara plus increase the diversity, depth and sustainability of the multi-billion dollar iron ore sector," she continued.
The Member companies of the Alliance already employ about 200 people and this figure is expected to increase rapidly in the months ahead as they progress from Scoping Studies through Feasibility Studies to production.
First iron ore production from a North West Iron Ore Alliance company is scheduled to commence in October 2008.
The members of the North West Iron Ore Alliance have agreed that the key initial focal points will be:
- To work with local, State and Federal Governments to ensure a new junior iron ore industry within the Pilbara region;
- To be employers of choice in the iron ore industry;
- To help improve the opportunities and lifestyles of local residents;
- To advocate for public policy settings that:
- considers the needs of junior iron companies in regards to the planned expansion of social and economic infrastructure at Port Hedland;
- consider the needs of junior iron ore companies when determining expansion and access to rail and other transport infrastructure;
- assist Federal and State Governments to provide sustainable social and economic infrastructure for the Pilbara that will mean true regional development; and
- provide diversity to the State's iron ore industry; and,
- To foster partnerships and training and employment opportunities for all Pilbara residents, as well as Alliance workers and their families.
Members of the Alliance were in Port Hedland to support the Port Hedland Rotary Ball and its vital fundraising effort towards a new High School library.
Megan Anwyl said the Alliance members are also keen to maintain ongoing dialogue with local Pilbara residents about how best to support future regional development.
"The North West Iron Ore Alliance will work in close consultation with the Port Hedland and Pilbara communities to develop a new junior iron ore industry that will bring lasting benefits to the region," she said.
