Gas pipeline desperately needed to save Gove alumina plant By Steven Schubert Thursday, 25/10/2012
2 One of the unions which represents workers at the bauxite mine and refinery on the Northern Territory's Gove Penisula says all levels of government need to commit to building a gas pipeline to the region as soon as possible. The mine's owner Pacific Aluminium, is reviewing its aluminium operations at the remote site, due in part to the expense of shipping heavy oil in to generate electricity. It may have to shut down operations temporarily. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Territory organiser Brian Wilkins says the company has told his delegates it needs a supply of natural gas to reduce operating costs and save the business. "Pacific Aluminium is the largest private enterprise employer in the Northern Territory, and if the refinery was to close, it would be a disaster for the NT."
Pity the previous Labor govt agreed with INPEX and Total there was no need for gas to be reserved for NT users enabling INPEX to send all the gas as LNG back to Japan.
Gove has been attempting to acquire gas for years and burns high sulphur Kuwaiti crude. It is one of the biggest polluters in Australia as a consequence.
Aparently Chief Minister Henderson was unaware of the requirements of its largest employer. And Mar'n Ferguson this week stated there was no need for domestic gas reservation for Australia.
