Get ready for the boom, says minerals industry chief

South Australian communities need to be prepared for the coming mineral boom to avoid the mistakes of other states, says Jason Kuchel, Chief Executive of South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy.

Mr Kuchel will address the Mining South Australia conference in Whyalla on 3-4 December.

A new resource boom is on the way but it will be at least another year or two before South Australia experiences the “full swing”, he says in an interview.

“But the most important thing from South Australia’s point of view is it is and will continue to be very steady growth and it’s growth we can count on.”

Mr Kuchel also expects the demand from Asian economies like China to remain strong in coming years to fuel their domestic growth regardless of a cooling of world economies.

South Australia will not initially have problems supplying the necessary skills and services that it needs as it has not stretched capacity to the limit.

“We have skilled workers who are currently working in WA and Queensland who have their families in South Australia. I think many of those are looking to come home.”

Federal Government approval of the expansion of the Beverly uranium mine was welcome because it will give “greater understanding for other uranium projects in terms of how they should proceed”. However South Australia is fortunate in possessing a broad range of resources from base metals to mineral sands, even coal and oil and gas reserves.

At the Mining South Australia conference, Mr Kuchel will discuss how regional communities can take advantage of resources activity and ensure that other states’ past mistakes are not repeated in terms of social infrastructure and broader economic development.

Other speakers at the conference include Mark Malcolm, Executive Manager for Southern Flinders Ranges Development Board; Steve Arndt, Chief Executive Officer for Whyalla Economic Development Board; Dr Paul Heithersay, Executive Director for Minerals and Energy Resources, PIRSA; Jim Pollock, Mayor of City of Whyalla; and Geoff Brock, Mayor of Port Pirie Council.

Further information: www.iir.com.au/sa

Conference to review SA mining progress

South Australia is entering an exciting new developmental phase, with around $13 billion worth of minerals and energy projects under way.

Leading the charge are BHP Billiton’s $7 billion Olympic Dam project targeting copper, uranium, silver and gold and OZ Minerals’ $775 million Prominent Hill (copper, gold).In addition to copper, uranium, silver and gold, companies have major investments in mining coal, zinc, lead, silver and mineral sands.

Analysts are predicting South Australia has the resources to challenge Western Australia as the country’s leading minerals producer.

“The continued interest in South Australia for exploration reflects the confidence minerals companies have to invest in this State,” says SA Mineral Resources Development Minister Paul Holloway.

Mr Holloway will be a keynote speaker at the Mining South Australia conference in Whyalla on 2-4 December. The conference will be held at the Middleback Theatre, to cope with bigger numbers following last year’s inaugural event that packed in 200 minerals industry representatives from around Australia.

Mr Holloway says investment in exploration reached a record $551.5 million for the 12 months to the end of June, almost level pegging with Queensland, Australia’s other resource-rich boom State.

The need for supporting infrastructure and services is expected to create major opportunities for investment and jobs in mine planning, engineering, procurement and logistics, project and construction management, maintenance, technical support and environmental management.

They’ll also create demand for accommodation, social infrastructure and skills.

These issues will be discussed at Mining South Australia, where speakers from government and industry will provide insights into the outlook for South Australian mining and the economy, and what’s needed to ensure operations proceed smoothly in the interests of South Australia and the nation.

Further information: http://www.iir.com.au/sa

To arrange a media pass, request more information or arrange speaker interviews please contact: Nigel Dique Informa-IIR 02 9080 4108; 0423 024 819; ndique@iir.com.au

Spotlight on SA Minerals

With around $13 billion worth of minerals and energy projects at various stages of development, including BHP Billiton’s $7 billion Olympic Dam and OZ Minerals’ $775 million Prominent Hill expansions, South Australia offers major opportunities for investment in services.

Insights into what’s unfolding will be provided at the Mining South Australia conference in Whyalla on 2-4 December. The conference will be held at the Middleback Theatre, to cope with bigger numbers following last year’s inaugural event that packed in 200 minerals industry representatives from around Australia.

www.iir.com.au/sa/blog

You can download the PDF version of this article here:

http://www.prlog.org/10109147-spotlight-on-sa-minerals.pdf