Possible restart of operations at several Tasmanian mines would create hundreds more jobs

Hundreds of new jobs are likely to be created when several mines across Tasmania are expected to reopen, with in-ground resources in the state estimated at around $11b. FULL STORY >>

TASMANIA’S diverse portfolio of mineral resources and the expected restart of several mines across the state in coming years is expected to create hundreds of additional jobs throughout the sector.

The mining and mineral resources industry accounts for more than 60 per cent of total exports and supports an estimated 5000 jobs statewide.

And Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl said the anticipated resumption of mining operations at several sites across the state could result in the workforce growing significantly.

The possible restart of operations at Queenstown’s Mt Lyell copper mine, the gold mine at Beaconsfield, the Avebury nickel mine on the West Coast and King Island’s tungsten mine have been flagged.

“A lot of people think mining has no future and it’s a dying industry, but that’s so far from the truth,’’ he said.

“The two things really driving that at the moment is the fact the world is accelerating efforts to move to renewable energy for zero and low emission products, and all of that requires mining.”

Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council chief executive Ray Mostogl. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Mostogl said the state was rich in commodities that were crucial in that space, such as tin, lead and zinc.

“We’re not a Pilbara, we’re not a Queensland, but what we do have is generally high quality, high purity, and people pay a premium for that.

“Tassie has actually got a diversified portfolio of different commodities and they peak at different times so you don’t generally get the downfall across the industry that you would in another state when there is a downturn.”

The MMG Rosebery Mine.

Mr Mostogl said in 2019, it was determined Tasmania had a total value of resources in the ground of $11b.

He said there was also now more exploration being done in the state to uncover more minerals and bigger resource bases than at any other time in the past decade.

Mr Mostogl said the high rates of pay were just one of many factors to attract people to the industry.

“It’s largely outdoors work so for people that like to get out in the field, it’s attractive,’’ he said.

“You can walk in the door as a school leaver ... the qualifications and skills you pick up from there, you can go anywhere in Australia, in fact anywhere in the world with those credentials.”

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