Government awards major status to Mt Bundy Gold Project

The Territory Government has awarded major project status to the operators of the Mt Bundy Gold Project.

THE Territory Government has awarded major project status to the operators of the Mt Bundy Gold Project.

On Tuesday Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the decision at Humes’ Winnellie work yards, with Hong Kong linked company Primary Gold planning to restart the three Mt Bundy mines.

The mines are about 100km southeast of Darwin.The NT Environment Protection Authority gave Primary Gold the all clear to re-open the Tom’s Gully, Rustlers Roost and Quest 29 mines at the start of 2020.

Construction will create 150 jobs over the next 18 months, with operations to create 300 jobs during the life of the project.

Mr Gunner said the project would open more opportunities for local businesses.

“This in turn will help strengthen industry, secure our job market and create more opportunities for private investment,” he said.

Major Project status is designed to assist the ‘timely and effective’ delivery of major projects through ‘efficient and consistent’ Government processes.

Primary Gold chief executive Dr Mark Qiu welcomed the announcement.

“We are very pleased that the NT government has awarded Major Project Status to the Mt Bundy Gold Project.

“It is a great achievement for Primary Gold, its shareholders and the Northern Territory,” Mr Qiu said.

“The awarding of Major Project Status distinguishes the Mt Bundy Gold Project as an attractive investment ready development in a mining friendly jurisdiction, with all major authorisations received or well advanced in the approval process.

“We thank the local community and NT government over the last few years for the great support.

“We have increased more than 1.2 million ounce gold resources and more than 700 per cent increase in gold ore reserve at Mt Bundy through extensive investments in exploration, mining, processing and detailed environmental studies through co-operation with well-known expert Northern Territory-based companies.”

These companies include WDA Drilling Services, GR Engineering, Orelogy, Knight Piesold and CDM Smith.

Humes area manager Damien Collis said culvert crossing and other works were underway at the site.

“We’re currently running with about 30 people on site with full time staff and contractors,” Mr Collis said.

“We are in the process of recruiting about 10 additional staff as round one and I would expect this to increase to around 50 or 60 people as we come into the Dry Season.

“Last year was a good year for us in the mining sector. “It probably accounted for about 15 per cent of what we did here.

“What we have on the books at the moment is 30 per cent related to mining activity and there’s still more to come.”

The Territory government estimates the $412m project will generate $1.78bn in operating expenditure during the life of the project

Tender documents released for long-awaited update to iconic ferry landing point

THE Territory Government has released a design and construct tender to build the new $50m Mandorah jetty and boat ramp.

Tender documents have been posted on the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics (DIPL) website and a final decision on who will build the new facility is expected within months.

Work should commence in the first half of this year.

It is the second design tender issued for the project after a $1.1m design contract was awarded to a local company in June 2019.

The project stalled after the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT and disability advocates objected to features of the design.

The latest Mandorah jetty concept masterplan identifies work in two stages, with continued access during construction a priority.

Stage one is expected to be completed in 2024 and will consist of two breakwaters to protect against sea swells, a new gangway, floating pontoon and improved disability access and upgraded carparking.

A design and construction tender has been released for the Mandorah jetty.

According to the project update posted on the DIPL website, a shed already on the site will be upgraded and used as a new ferry terminal and a new dual lane boat ramp is planned for either stage one or later in stage two depending on ‘project constraints’.

Stage two of the project will consist of a pedestrian walkway, road, pedestrian paths and carparking and fishing platform and is planned for delivery “approximately” five years after the completion of stage one.

Key DIPL objectives for the ferry berthing facility are to minimise construction and whole-of-life costs, provision for an uninterrupted ferry service during construction and address existing issues, including the jetty’s high exposure to the elements and its Disability Discrimination Act compliance. Wagait Shire Council President Neil White said he welcomed the new Mandorah marine precinct and hoped the project would this time get off the ground.

“After the last time they were going to do a more detailed design tender. They’ve been about three or four designs since then.,” he said.

“We welcome the new Mandorah marine precinct and we think it will bring good things over here and will improve safety.

“The old jetty has reached its end of service life and is no longer fit for purpose. It’s time to cater for future economic growth and population expansion as part of the Kenbi land claim.” Wagait Beach Progress Association member and disability activist Jack Ellis said while he welcomed a meeting he had with DIPL to discuss access issues, there were still concerns around how an elevator planned for the site would work for disabled passengers.

The tender closes March 9.