PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Northern Territory government has given its approval to the A$369-million expansion of the McArthur River zinc mine.
Mines and Energy Minister Willem Westra van Holthe said on Tuesday that the Phase 3 development project would see to the employment of a further 300 people, and would extend the life of the mine by nine years, to 2036, taking production from 2.5-million tons of ore a year to 5.5-million tons of ore, and production from 360 000 t/y to 800 000 t/y of zinc.
“With the approval of Phase 3, McArthur River mine will become the largest zinc resource in the world,” the Minister said.
“McAurthur River and their parent company Glencore Xstrata have committed to spending 75% of capital expenditure and 100% of operational expenditure for the project with Northern Territory suppliers and industry.
“Over the life of the mine, this expansion will boost industry output by A$8.4-billion within the Northern Territory economy,” he added.