The deputy premier and minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney today (April 23) announced the shortlist of five groups to progress to detailed proposals of the Aurukun bauxite resource on the Cape York Peninsula.
The shortlisted groups were Aluminium Corporation of China Limited (CHALCO), Australian Indigenous Resources Pty Ltd (AIR), Cape Alumina Consortium, Glencore International AG and Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited.
“We want to ensure the economic benefits of this resource flow back into the Aurukun community,” Mr Seeney said.
“We will see these benefits through mining jobs and improvements to infrastructure and further benefits through businesses that could be established in Aurukun to service the mine.”
The development of the Aurukun bauxite resource could provide opportunities for apprenticeships in Queensland, with Mr Seeney stating that it was essential to the creation of a vibrant economic future for the community, native titleholders and all Queenslanders.
Mr Seeney said that the successful companies now have until mid-September to submit their detailed proposals for the mine to the government for evaluation.
“The government is working towards a final decision on a preferred proponent by year’s end.”
