anhui bureau in darwin

China takes office.

NT News - NICK CALACOURAS

September 22nd, 2010

A THIRD Chinese mining company is set to open an office in Darwin.

Representatives from China's Anhui Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources arrived in Darwin last week with plans to open an office in the Top End.

This is the third Chinese exploration and mining company to open a Territory office - following Jiangxi Legend and HNC Australia Resources.

NT Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis said this was the result of the Chinese Investment Attraction Strategy.

He said the $14 million strategy had returned $125 million to the economy.

The Territory's mining sector contributes $4.9 billion to the economy each year - or more than a quarter of the Territory's Gross State Product.

"We visit China at least twice a year, and the various Chinese companies visit the Territory regularly," he said.

"It's all about building relationships and my department is arranging meetings for the visitors who are committed to continuing exploration in a variety of locations around the Territory."

The Anhui Bureau purchased six exploration licences in the NT from local company Territory Uranium last year.

It has also recently applied for an additional four exploration licences and will start active exploration programs in the Territory.

Mr Vatskalis said a delegation from Japan also visited the Territory last week to discuss potential investment.

"The process of discussions and meetings is going on continuously, and is part of the reason we are being so successful in attracting investment to the NT," he said.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/09/22/181451_nt-business.html