PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining major Rio Tinto and the Aluminium Corporation of China (Chalco) have opted not to make a play for the Aurukun bauxite deposit, in Cape York.

In April, the Queensland government released a shortlist of five bidders to pitch for the Aurukun deposit. The shortlisted bidders were given until September 13 to submit their development proposals for the project.

Queensland acting Premier Jeff Seeney said this week that Australian Indigenous Resources (Air) and major Glencore International had each submitted proposals by the deadline while Rio and Chalco had withdrawn from the bidding process.

Cape Alumina, which was the fifth shortlisted bidder, did not officially withdraw from the process, but did not submit its proposal either.

Seeney said the state government would evaluate the submitted proposals based on their environmental merits, as well as how they maximised benefits and returns to the native titleholders, the Aurukun community and the state.

“When I visited the region in August last year, I was impressed by the strong desire within the community for a development that will unlock economic and social benefits for Aurukun,” Seeney said.

“This means that a proposal must go beyond the promises of yesteryear and chart a clear course to a mining development where the rewards are shared.”

He pointed out that significant effort had been expended over the past 12 months on turning the Cape York opportunity into a reality. Each of the shortlisted groups had the opportunity to meet with the Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation (NAK), which represents the native titleholders for the resource area – the Wik and Wik Way people – and the Aurukun Shire Council, to discuss and refine their proposals.

“The Queensland government will now assess each proposal keeping in mind the project must be delivered at no cost or risk to the state and must meet strict environmental conditions,” he said.

A final decision on a preferred proponent was expected by the end of the year.