This highlights a real concern about mining buggering up peoples lifestyles, for no good reason other than to line the pockets of the miners, and dont believe the crap about bring employment and opportunities etc. I did write to the NT Minister Willem Westra van Hothe on this matter and for once I got a sensible reply, not from the Minister but from the Chief Executive of Mines and Energy, although it does not address the Roper Highway issue, only the effect on the Stuart Highway: Dear Mark I refer to your email to Minister Westra van Holthe on 22 August 2013, regarding Sherwin Iron road transport of ore to Darwin. The Minister has requested that I respond on his behalf. I am aware that you have also contacted Sherwin Iron on the same matter and that they have already provided you with a response. [incidentaly Sherwin never did respond to my letter, but that is not the Ministers problem of course] Sherwin’s bulk sampling has been approved by my Department however the road transport of the ore is being conducted under normal transport industry guidelines including where appropriate, vehicle escorts. This is subject to a traffic management plan approved by the Department of Transport. As it is an expensive and cumbersome option road transport is not a first choice option, so Sherwin Iron has been involved in negotiations with Genesee Wyoming for the transport of their ore by rail for some time. As a result, negotiations are continuing in relation to construction of a new rail siding and stockpile yards at Mataranka. Rail transport of ore cannot commence until this infrastructure is built. With the transition to full scale mining, we anticipate that there will be a consequent move to rail transport. You correctly state in your email that tourism brings great benefit to the NT. I would like to point out that revenues from mining operations also bring great benefit and it is through this income that we can afford the normal Government services that you and other people of the NT enjoy. The NT Government, through my Department is committed to ensuring that this development brings revenue benefit while other risks such as environmental and social risk are minimised. Thank you for your correspondence and I trust that this response has addressed your concerns. Regards Scott Perkins Chief Executive NT Department of Mines and Energy Level 4, Paspalis Centrepoint Smith Street DARWIN NT mates take note. I could make some commentary on this but I will let it speak for itself, apart from to say that there are some contestable assumptions there, as there usually are with these kinds of projects.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:40:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015