New iron ore mine proposed for Tasmania's north-west to create up to 200 jobs
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A Tasmanian-based mining company is seeking approval for a new magnetite iron ore mine at Rogetta, near Hampshire in the state's north-west.
If approved, Forward Mining expects to begin construction next year and become operational by late 2016 or early 2017.
The proposal would need approval from both the state and federal governments before it could go ahead.
The Tasmanian Government said the mine would create around 200 jobs during the construction phase, and employ 100 people during the project's seven-year lifespan.
Resources Minister Paul Harriss said the mine would have a significant effect on the state's mining industry.
"To give some context to how significant this project is, it would increase Tasmania's net commodity export volume of iron ore from around 2.8 million tonnes to 3.8 million tonnes," he said.
Tasmanian Minerals Council chief executive Wayne Gould welcomed the proposal.
"I just think it's encouraging to see another opportunity in a region that has been reasonably depressed over the last few years," he said.
"Whatever can be done to get it off the ground should be done."
Mr Gould said magnetite could command up to $30 a tonne or more when processed into iron ore pellets for export.
"Magnetite mining is profitable, but of course only if the economic circumstances line up appropriately," he said.
"Magnetite is a higher value product than general iron ore, the kind of iron ore we see coming out of the Pilbara.
"It has a higher iron ore content, it is generally a bit purer, so it needs to be refined effectively before it can be exported and used."
The ore would be trucked to Burnie Port for export.
Topics: mining-rural, rural, government-and-politics, state-parliament, states-and-territories, hampshire-7321, tas
