30 full-time local jobs as Frances Creek mine wins iron ore export approval

THIRTY local full-time staff will be employed by the operators of the ­Frances Creek mine after it won approva­l to finalise its first 30,000 tonnes of iron ore export

Thirty more local full-time staff will be employed by the operators of the ­Frances Creek mine. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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THIRTY local full-time staff from Pine Creek, Batchelor and Darwin will be employed by the operators of the ­Frances Creek mine after it gained approva­l under the mining management plan to finalise its first 30,000 tonnes of iron ore export next month.

Darwin-based miner Linecrest, which falls under the NT Bullion parent company and has 50 per cent Indigenous shareholders, was granted approval under its MMP late last month to export.

Over the past nine months, a research and dev­el­opment project has seen new German ore-sorting tech­nology from Steinert adapted in a world first for iron ore on the large stockpile at the Frances Creek mine, which is 250km south of Darwin.

Managing director Rod Illing­worth said the technol­ogy enabled higher-quality ore to be sorted into high-grade premium export-grade lump and recycled the stockpiles without any hard ­mining, contributing significantly to the mine’s rehabilit­ation.

“The ore will be trucked 15km using the existing all-weather access road from the mine to the north-south rail line and then be railed direct­ly into the Darwin Port,” Mr Illingworth said.

“The first 30,000 tonnes will be exported towards the end of next month from the Port of Darwin and we expect similar amounts each month after that.

“We have worked closely with the Minister of Primary Industry and Resources, Mr Paul Kirby, and his department and appreciate their efforts­ during these challenging times.

“We have also worked closely with the Port of Darwin and the operators of the railway, One Rail, and the Northern Land Council to achieve this new export market.

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“NT Bullion has plans to expand its operations and this co-operative approach with the private and government sectors is vital to ensure Northern Territory mines can get to markets and contribut­e to the growth of the local economy.

“We are committed to local skills and training with our Indigenous partnerships while contributing to the local Pine Creek economy and continuing our close assoc­iation with the Northern Land Council and local Aborigi­nal community.”