china aluminium giant looks to tropics for ref

China aluminium giant looks to tropics for refinery

Thursday, 26/06/2008

A Chinese aluminium company is considering setting up a $2.2 billion dollar refinery near Bowen on North Queensland's coast.

Chalco is also investigating a bauxite mine near Aurukun on Cape York Peninsula.

Whitsunday mayor, Mike Brunker, says a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Queensland Government and Chalco this week.

"I had visions of us all going to Brisbane and the chairman of Chalco getting up and saying the 'winner is Bowen', but that's not the case," he says.

"So whichever way they want to do it, I'm quite happy that we've been picked in first place."