Rio Tinto Alcan announced it expects to spend USD 528 million over the next 3 years developing is new South of Embley bauxite mine located near Weipa in Queensland’s Far North.
The project’s developers have commenced meetings to discuss the provision of goods and services for the mine’s construction which is scheduled to begin next year, pending environmental and company approvals.
Mr Laurie Hicks project director of Rio Tinto Alcan said that ”Recruitment and materials supply was currently being considered in Cairns, however preferential treatment for local suppliers would not be given. Where several options exist a bid process will be adopted which may include other local, regional, Australian or offshore suppliers. While there will be no preferential treatment, options that promote local content, shorten supply chains, offer indigenous employment and deliver value to the project will be due consideration."
Employing about 950 people, the construction phase will include the building of two beneficiation plants which separate bauxite from waste materials, a diesel fuelled power station warehouse, offices, sewage treatment plant, two ferry and barge terminals, a roll on roll off barge facility, temporary accommodation for 2000 people, a water supply dam and a new shiploading and tug mooring port. Construction is estimated to take between 2.5 and 3 years with 24 hour bauxite production predicted to begin in the H1 of 2016.
Mr Hicks said that Far North Queensland will be the focus of the project's labour recruiting activities and that the feasibility of Cairns as a fly in fly out hub and project support centre will be assessed.
Mr Stewart Christie CEO of Advance Cairns said that “The group had been working with Cairns FIFO coordinator Mr Jeremy Blockey to actively engage Rio Tinto Alcan to recruit personnel from the Far North of the state. We are very hopeful that both Rio Tinto Alcan and Bechtel will hire contractors, personnel and use suppliers from this region for the construction and an ongoing operation of this project as the project evolves."
