Ex-Treasurer Nicole Manison’s appointment as Minister pleases NT mining industry

THE peak body representing the Northern Territory’s mining industry has been buoyed by the handing of the portfolio to a senior Minister, ex-Treasurer Nicole Manison

The Minerals Council of Australia NT has welcomed the appointment of former NT Treasurer Nicole Minister as Resource Minister

• NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner unveils his new Cabinet, takes over Treasurer role from Manison

THE peak body representing the Northern Territory’s mining industry has been buoyed by the handing of the portfolio to a senior Minister.

Minerals Council of Australia NT executive director Drew Wagner said the appointment of the former Treasurer Nicole Manison as the Territory’s Minister for Mining and Industry will benefit the Territory’s minerals sector.

“It will support local jobs and communities through a stronger partnership between the industry and the NT Government,” he said.

Minerals Council of Australia NT executive director Drew Wagner says the appointment of the former Treasurer Nicole Manison as the Territory’s Minister for Mining and Industry will benefit the Territory’s minerals sector

Mr Wagner has long been a vocal advocate of the role the mining and resource sector can play in repairing the sick Northern Territory economy.

He points out that there is now a whole generation of Territorians that have never seen a tier one mining operation come online, and remain in production, in their lifetime.

This is despite the great project opportunities in the Territory – emerging commodities like rare earths, lithium, salt, vanadium oxide and phosphate as well as our traditional developments of gold, bauxite and manganese.

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“The combination of economic and industry policy is a natural fit at the right time,” Mr Wagner said of the appointment of Minister Manison.

However he has warned that for Northern Territory mining to realise its potential, the government needs to act on faster approvals for strong environmental outcomes and investor confidence.

It was revealed recently that the EIS that had to be submitted for the $1.1 billion Nolans rare earth mine planned for the Northern Territory by Arafura Resources weighed a staggering 3.5kg.

Approval processes that on average take 4.5 years are impediments the industry says need to be fixed.

Mr Wagner said the newly elected Gunner Government must provide targeted investment in economic infrastructure.

“It must build a future minerals workforce partnership with industry focused on skills, training and education,” he said.

“The task of renewal and reconstruction is immense.

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“Mining has played a strong role in keeping the economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the sector is well-placed to help expand job opportunities, build stronger communities, improve environmental protection and provide more opportunities for Territorians to develop skills through a better approach to education.”