Keeping in mind that the report that this councilor is referring to was prepared by GHD, this August 2013 article in the local geelong rag is worth another read IMO -
$250 million project opportunity on ‘council’s radar’: Port in ‘clean coal’ export plan
Posted on 08 August 2013. Tags: News
By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
PLANS to use Geelong’s port as a major clean coal exporter are on council’s radar, according to acting mayor Bruce Harwood. Reports this week mooted Geelong as an export point for a $250 million clean coal project in the Latrobe Valley. The Independent reported last year a state parliamentary committee study on developing mining export opportunities said rail haulage to Geelong’s port would play a key role. A coal mining plan last year for Bacchus Marsh also proposed using Geelong’s port for exports. Cr Harwood said the Latrobe Valley clean coal export project was a “classic opportunity”. Council would actively pursue bulk mineral export opportunities through the port, he said. “It’s been on our radar. We’ve just completed the Geelong port landside infrastructure plan, investigating current land freight infrastructure and future capabilities. “We had extensive consultation with the key stakeholders including Graincorp, Midway, Incitec Pivot, the port and the Victorian Regional Channels Authority. “The port has been identified as an absolute key economic driver of the region and we will continue to grow opportunities so it can reach its great potential. “The plan identifies infrastructure upgrades, along the lines of increased rail capacity and road transport access, potential development of further piers and dredging to increase capacity. “If we are not competitive in that space we will not get into the game and it won’t attract industry. We have to do the work so industry has confidence in Geelong as an export point. Mineral sands, brown coal, black coal are all huge opportunities for us. “It would take considerable state and federal buy-in but the plan is done and will be presented to state and federal ministers.” State and federal governments have jointly funded the $90 million Latrobe Valley project to establish a demonstration plant using technology to upgrade Victoria’s vast but low-quality brown coal reserves. “It is envisaged that, upon completion of the technology demonstration, a commercial facility will be able to be financed and constructed,” the Department of Environment and Primary Industries prospectus says. A major Chinese power company is reportedly among several companies vying for the funding from the grant, offering a process to convert brown coal into black coal or oil, fertiliser or briquettes.
as is this snippet from following -
China powers ahead in hidden tender for brown coal millions
"A major Chinese power company is in line to win millions of dollars in federal and state government grant money to develop Victorian brown coal.
It is understood the Shanghai Electric Group is among a handful of firms that have risen in the pecking order for grants under the $90 million joint program to help fund ''pre-commercial'' demonstration projects using technology to upgrade brown coal in the Latrobe Valley to a higher standard, such as black coal, or convert it into oil or fertilisers.
To date the selection process has been shrouded in secrecy.
Applicants are yet to be notified whether they have been successful or not. But sources said it was widely believed in the industry that three projects had progressed.
The most prominent is state-owned Shanghai Electric Power through its local subsidiary, Shanghai Electric Australia Power & Energy Development. Shanghai Electric is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and has a company value of $1.5 billion.
It is understood the firm is proposing a demonstration plant in the valley to process 3 million tonnes of brown coal a year using technology it claims improves its quality and also makes briquettes.
There are suggestions the coal could then be exported to China, initially out of Geelong. A government summary of the project, seen by Fairfax Media, says the $250 million demonstration plant is ''expected'' to be partially funded by the program (known as the Advanced Lignite Demonstration Program). Representatives of Shanghai Electric's Australian subsidiary did not return calls on Tuesday."
On another note, ALDP and S7 tender process announcements are both running well behind original published timelines.
We are also now approaching 6 months since there was any activity on the following Vic DPI tenement reports. Historically they have been updated every couple of weeks. Mantle are 2nd and 3rd in line on the lists for grantings, coincidence?
I know there has been a merging of departments within the Vic Gov involving DPI but these lists still feature in the new departments website and are therefore current IMO.
Mantle ann'd it expected news on the LV grantings back in 1st-2nd quarter 2013.
All these delays are related IMO.
For option holders who have held out for news based on published Gov & Mantle timelines and the perceived benefit of BC related news to Mantle, these delays that are out of Mantle's control could be the nail in the OA's coffin.
If no news on the BCP very soon we may have to lobby management for a similar deal to the one ECT has hinted at for their oppie holders.
Perhaps a 6 month extension/re-issue at .002 with same strike price(.075) and only available to current OA holders. Non OA holders would benefit through the $millions coversion would bring the Co without using the financing sharks of the past. With management themselves holding millions of OA's I don't think it would be out of the question, according to posts on here, they have expressed in the past their desire to see the OA's converted. I'm not losing faith however leaving this discussion too late would be remiss IMO with the AGM date approaching. We effectively have about 15 trading days to triple in price, which we have seen occur before on lesser news than we are currently hoping for.
If ALDP/S7/BCP news hits the presses this week, the above will be a non issue IMO.
Thoughts?
What are they waiting for?
B Rubes
MNM Price at posting:
3.2¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
