New era in Coast metals mining BY SEAN FORD 25/07/2008 12:00:00 AM
THE tin industry is back, bringing about 200 jobs to the West Coast.
The Renison Bell Mine will be officially reborn today.
Owner Metals X will relaunch the mine and officially open the $8million, 100-person motel-type facility it built for workers at Zeehan.
"Our catchcry will be Renison reborn," Metals X managing director Peter Cook said yesterday.
"Mining has been going since May - underground here and since March at (Mt) Bischoff and we've been stockpiling," Mr Cook said.
"We're just commissioning the plant.
"Steady state production is imminent."
The reopening is another big milestone in the West's mining boom and ends a sad situation at Renison.
Metals X - then known as Bluestone Tin - acquired Renison in 2004, but shut it in late 2005 citing plunging tin prices, putting 200-odd people out of work.
It has since refurbished the mine, modernised its concentrator and kept the mine on care and maintenance until recently.
Mr Cook said staff numbers were close to 180 - plus another 60 contractors including the Mt Bischoff work force - and would be about 200 in the long term.
About half the 180 were local people and the "camp", as he called the new accommodation, was about 70percent full.
West Coast Mayor Darryl Gerrity was optimistic the mine had a good future.
"They've backed up their commitment with infrastructure and the financial ability to do the work safely on the West Coast.
"There's no boom or bust mentality in this latest venture and in all mining on the West Coast it is boom and boom because metal prices look set to be high for a considerable time."
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