Industrial minerals conference opens
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The Australian Industrial Minerals Conference 2005 today opened in Sydney.
The production of industrial minerals such as mineral sands, limestone, silica and gypsum make a valuable, yet largely unheralded contribution to the State’s economy.
Industrial mineral production (including construction materials) is valued at more than $500 million a year.
There is significant potential for further discoveries, which would sustain the industry and the regional communities where these materials and minerals are found.
The Carr Government has invested $30 million over seven years in the Exploration NSW program.
NSW offers a range of exciting opportunities to investors - from greenfields mineral exploration to mine developments and minerals processing projects.
A new Industrial Minerals Map of NSW was also released at the conference.
This map shows more than 600 industrial mineral localities comprising 53 commodities, together with industrial minerals processing plants and major infrastructure.
It will be invaluable to explorers and the mining community generally.
Industrial mineral commodities with the potential for development include limestone, mineral sands, bentonite, gypsum, dolomite, rare earth elements and feldspar.
BeMaX has this week announced major contracts which will see heavy mineral concentrate produced from its Ginkgo mine site, towards the end of 2005.
The material will be hauled, separated and processed – a massive vote of confidence in NSW and a great boost for the Far West – particularly Broken Hill.
Around 100 people from the mining, exploration and mineral processing sectors of the industrial mineral industry, industrial mineral consumers, consultants and government are attending the conference.
The conference will be followed by a 2 day excursion to the Hunter Valley to inspect a number of industrial mineral mining and mineral processing operations.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries – Mineral Resources is major sponsor of the Conference. It is co-hosted by the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), Sydney Mineral Exploration Discussion Group (SMEDG) and Australasian Industrial Minerals Society (AIMS).