ACT

In contrast to the oil and gas sector, the mining sector in Australia is showing conflicting signs.

With at least ten major LNG/CSG projects now under construction in Australia and generating significant job numbers, mining shows a slightly different picture.

Operators: The Project is a 50-50 joint venture between BHP Billiton and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, managed by BMA.

Location:    Bowen Basin, 16km south of Moranbah and 160km south west of Mackay

Cost: $4.2b

Timeframe:      First production expected in 2014

Employment:  2,200 construction and 500 operational jobs

Operators:  Rio Tinto

Cost:   $15+bn

Location:  Pilbara

Timeframe:  2012 - 2017

Employment:  Requires over 6,000 employees in the next 5 years

Owners: Hancock Prospecting (70%), POSCO (12.5%, Marubeni Corporation (12.5%), STX Corporation (2.5%), China Steel Corporation (2.5%)

Location: Chichester Ranges

Timeframe: Construction from late 2013-2015, with expected first ore on ship planned for September 2015

Cost: Reported to be approx. $10 billion

Operators: CiticPacific Mining

Location:  85kms south of Karratha

Timeframe:     First production expected in 2013 with a 25 year mine life

Cost:    US$30b

Employment:   More than 4,000 construction jobs and 600 operational jobs.  Constructionis complete but operational recruitment continues.

Operators: Southern Seawater Alliance (SSWA)

Location:  Binningup, south of Perth

Timeframe:   18 month construction, expected to be commissioned by 2014

Cost:    $955m

Employment:  600 jobs during construction, local workforce only (no camp facilities)

Operators:  BHP Billiton

Location:  Pilbara

Employment:  Exact numbers unknown, but is in the thousands for construction and operational.

Timeframe:  Construction has commenced, start up due in the first half of calendar year 2016.

Operators:  OPR was established in September 2007 to pursue a joint venture between Murchison Metals Ltd and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, each of which had a 50% stake in OPR.  The project is now owned 100% by Mitsubishi.

Location:  Mid west region of Western Australia

Timeframe:   The project timetable from construction to Rail and Port commissioning to first ore on ship, takes the project out to 2014.

Cost:    $3b +

Operators: Gindalbie Metals  and AnSteel (one of China’s leading steel and iron ore companies)

Location:  The operations, located 225km inland from Geraldton in the WA Mid West region is the result of a $2.57 billion project which has been in development since early 2009 and is currently in the final phase of construction.

Timeframe:   Approaching commissioning, due September 2012