Mine Export Infrastructure Discussed in South Australia

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As the BHP Billiton Olympic Dam mine expansion experience delays, the Chamber of Mines and Energy has urged the South Australian Government to concentrate on investing in infrastructure to help smaller miners.

The Chamber's chief executive Jason Kuchel said infrastructure like deep sea ports were critical to mineral exports.

"The number one issue for South Australia is the lack of infrastructure and so, because many of the projects are actually quite small, we need Government intervention - not necessarily paying for the infrastructure but just in terms of actually assisting that infrastructure along," he said to the ABC.

Mining companies are now lobbying for environmental approvals to build a deep sea port at Port Bonython near Whyalla.

If this transpires it will provide export facilities for mining companies.

However, the project has received much criticism from environmental groups.

Speaking to the ABC in August 2012, Tim Kelly from the Conservation Council of SA said:

“In a time when the giant cuttlefish aggregation at Point Lowly is in a state of collapse, we're thinking of putting a massive deep port development right through their aggregation breeding grounds. This is obviously a huge additional risk for that population. There are risks associated with the dredging, the sediments, the construction activities, potential spills.”

Whether or not the deep sea port project will go ahead remains to be seen.

When asked about what role the Government will play in this potential project, SA Premier Jay Weatherill said they won’t fund it, but will be happy to facilitate.

"We can play a role as a facilitator, of course we won't be a funder," he said.

 Location of the potential deep sea port at Port Bonyton below:

 
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