MINING Minister Andrew Cripps has hit back at criticism from Cloncurry miner John Green, who blamed the state government for poor international investment in greenfields mining projects in the North West.
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CuDECO logistics manager John Green spoke candidly to The North West Star last week about his concerns for small miners in the region, saying projects were being caught up in bureaucracy and favour was given to large mining companies such as Glencore and MMG. Mr Cripps said the comments made by Mr Green, and echoed by state member for Mount Isa Rob Katter, did not reflect the work the state government had done to support mining projects across Queensland.
He described ResourcesQ, the government’s 30-year mining strategy, a “robust plan” to grow the resources sector and said legislation had already been introduced to cut red tape.
“The Mineral and Energy (Common Provisions) Bill 2014 introduced into the Queensland Parliament delivers the first stage of the government’s move towards the phased development of a single, common resources act for the mining, petroleum, gas, greenhouse gas storage and geothermal energy sectors,” he said.
“It provides greater flexibility in mining tenure application processes, greater certainty about assessment timeframes and reduces costs for miners.”
Mr Cripps said the introduction of MyMines Online would also reduce tenure approval times by speeding up the application and assessment process.
Apparently there’s no shortage of funding being pumped into exploration to help new-starters either.
Mr Cripps said the government’s $9 million contribution to exploration in Boulia, Cloncurry and Dajarra across the next three years would help reduce exploration costs and risks for junior miners by identifying areas of high mineral prospectivity.
They can also benefit from a contribution of up to $150,000 to cover half the costs of exploration drilling through the Collaborative Drilling Initiative.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies regional manager Bernie Hogan said there had been ongoing improvements to Queensland’s regulatory framework.
“It is positive to see the state government recognising the value of mid-tier mining and mineral exploration companies,” he said.