IRON CHIEFTAIN BECOMES SA'S 13th MINE Premier Mike Rann...

IRON CHIEFTAIN BECOMES SA'S 13th MINE
Premier Mike Rann announced that Iron Chieftain in the Southern Middleback Ranges has become South Australia's newest mine.
Mr Rann, who toured OneSteel's mining operations near Whyalla today, said approval has been granted for the Iron Chieftain mine as part of OneSteel's $350 million Project Magnet Phase 2.

"I am delighted to add Iron Chieftain to the growing list of mines in South Australia," Mr Rann said.

"This Government's supportive policies have provided mineral resources companies with the certainty they need to make long-term investments in mining projects throughout the State.

"Iron Chieftain will be the 13th mine in South Australia, building on the four mines that were in operation when Labor took office in 2002.

"This iron ore project is just the latest in a pipeline of 20-30 significant resource projects expected to be developed in South Australia in the years ahead, further enhancing our reputation as a reliable exporter of mineral resources."

Mr Rann said the project is expected to provide further job security to the 650 people currently working for OneSteel and its contractors in its Southern Middleback Ranges mining operations.

"A mineral lease for the Iron Chieftain Mine was granted in October 2010 and first stage works are expected to begin this year," Mr Rann said.

"OneSteel's latest project 50 kilometres west of Whyalla in the Upper Spencer Gulf is the first stage of an expansion that aims to maintain exports of 6 million tonnes of iron ore for 10 years as part of supply contracts with a number of Chinese customers."

"OneSteel's Project Magnet Phase 2 also proposes the development of an ore processing plant at Iron Baron and the expansion of a number of existing mines across the Southern Middleback Ranges.