Media Statement: Newman Government gets Cloncurry rail facility on fast track

[Fares_Fair]

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Andrew Cripps
Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Newman Government gets Cloncurry rail facility on fast track

The Newman Government has thrown its support behind a new rail facility in Cloncurry to boost mineral exports.

On a trip to north-west Queensland, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Andrew Cripps, today gave the government's seal of approval for a new multi-user rail load-out facility to service mining projects in the region.

The facility will be funded by joint venture partners Xstrata Copper, MMG and Cudeco and was announced by the Minister as part of a tour of the North West Minerals Province.

"The Queensland Government will be actively working with the three mining companies to deliver the rail load-out facility for the region," said Mr Cripps.

"A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the three parties, with the intent to enter into a joint venture partnership for the development and construction of the load-out facility 10 kilometres east of Cloncurry.

"This outcome brings a resolution to more than 18 months of uncertainty on this project and will centralise the load-out requirements of three major mining operations into one location, outside Cloncurry."

Mr Cripps said that the rail load-out facility will be fully funded by industry and will be capable of expansion to accommodate additional load-out requirements into the future.

"Design and planning for the project is well underway and with our government's determination to remove roadblocks it is anticipated it will be operational by mid-2014," he said.

"Once all projects are operating, the facility will handle around 2.2 million tonnes per annum of mineral concentrate for export, and will reduce the number of train movements and rail load-out activities that currently operate within the Cloncurry township."

Local communities are also set to benefit from the new facility under an agreement that will see users donate to a special Community Fund.

"On current predictions, the facility should contribute approximately $100 000 a year to the Community Fund Donation program," Mr Cripps said.

"Today's announcement demonstrates the State Government's commitment to grow an industry that will play a pivotal role in restoring economic certainty to Queensland."

[ENDS] 4 July 2012

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Paul Sutherland 0412 533 187