Qld refinery to investigate reef impactAdvertisementEmail Print...

Qld refinery to investigate reef impact
AdvertisementEmail Print Normal font Large font October 14, 2008 - 4:52PM

Advertisement
A Chinese mining company seeking to develop a bauxite deposit and build an alumina refinery in far north Queensland says it will consider the impact on the Great Barrier Reef in its planning.

Aluminium Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) will next year release its feasibility and environment impact studies on a refinery at Abbot Point, near Bowen in north Queensland, and bauxite mining at Aurukun on Cape York Peninsula.

Chalco environmental manager Brett Loney told Brisbane reporters that an environmental impact statement (EIS) would examine possible impacts on the reef.

"In the third quarter of 2009, we'll release the EIS," Mr Loney said.

"It will look at what impact a refinery will have on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park."

The Queensland government is currently considering tougher measures to improve water quality on the reef following a damning report focusing on coastal industry run-off.

The Aurukun bauxite project is hailed as the largest single foreign investment in Queensland's history.

Mr Loney said a feasibility study into the $2.2 billion alumina refinery would be released between May and August next year.

"We need 2,000 to 3,000 people for construction of the refinery," he said.

"About 9,000 people live in Bowen at the moment."

Mr Loney also said an upgrade of Aurukun's airport, construction of a corridor between the mine and the refinery, upgrades to roads, power and water were needed.

Chalco has a development licence for a 40,000 hectare site on Cape York for bauxite mining.

The company is currently undertaking a two-year feasibility study into the Aurukun operations, which include a significant financial commitment to the traditional owners of the Aurukun community.

The state government has previously said the Aurukun mine could produce over six million tonnes of bauxite a year, and an associated refinery more than two million tonnes of alumina a year.

© 2008 AAP
Brought to you by