Liberals economic plan welcomed by heavy metals industry

The critical mining industry is at the heart of the Liberals’ new economic strategy, which promises to streamline approvals and cut red tape to back traditional industries and regional jobs.

Liberal candidates for Braddon Kate Wylie and Gavin Pearce with Grange Resources CEO Ben Maynard and Premier Jeremy Rockliff at Port Latta. Picture: Tasmanian Liberals.

Grange Resources mines iron ore at Savage River mine and turns it into a key mineral in iron and steel production just 85km away.

Port Latta is a processing plant and port that is capable of producing more than 2.5 million tonnes of premium iron ore products, including hematite pellets, annually.

Grange chief executive Ben Maynard said the operation had been running since 1967 and employed more than 600 people in the region, plus contractors. Grange is hoping to secure the life of the mine beyond 2040 by converting the operation from opencut to underground.

Grange Resources General Operations Manager Ben Maynard and Qubo Li of Yunnan Tin Australia Investments Holding LTD inspect iron ore pellets during the Chinese TasInvest delegation visit at Port Latta.

“We’re excited about the innovation opportunities there, and particularly it allows us to reduce our cost to become more sustainable.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff visited Port Latta to announce the Liberals’ economic strategy, just eight days from the state election.

He said Grange pays $100m worth of salaries at the plant each year, so it was important the operation was ongoing.

“That’s why we need to keep our economy strong,” he said. “That’s why we need to keep investing in infrastructure and services to keep unemployment at record lows.”

Mr Rockliff said the Liberals’ new plan would “streamline” approvals and “cut red tape” to support business growth which “backs in our traditional industries such as mining, aquaculture, farming and forestry”.

Port Latta viewed aerially from Bass Strait. Picture: Elise Kaine

The Liberals’ “economic statement” outlines a red tape reduction agenda to stimulate investment, a commitment to traditional industries and regional jobs, a commitment to leverage the global brand to grow Tasmania’s visitor economy, increasing participation to get more Tasmanians into the workforce, the buy local policy, and streamlined development pathways.

The Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council chief executive, Ray Mostogl, welcomed the announcement as “a clear and practical commitment to strengthening the state’s industrial base, regional jobs and sovereign supply chains”.

Mr Mostogl said the renewed investment in the Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2028 and the Defence Industry Strategy 2029, with just under $6m allocated to expand market access, would drive productivity, and build a future-ready workforce.

“Tasmania’s manufacturers already punch well above their weight, exporting globally and winning over $500m in defence contracts in the past five years,” Mr Mostogl said.

“This statement helps ensure that local businesses can keep growing, competing and employing right here in Tasmania.”