Page 55 - pd277-Nov19-mag-final-web_Neat

massive pro- with the boom-bust scenario of mining. has in the pipeline to set its foundations in
ject for the “The labour economic market is impact- the State for many years to come.
Tennant Creek ed by the mining game and if we do get that “Newmont had an amazing project get
region if they to the second tier of manufacturing busi- off the ground with a gas pipeline 500km
get it off the nesses off the ground through the NT that into the desert. They upgraded two power
ground. The will be of great assistance to us and take stations – one at the mill and one at the
spin-off oppor- some of the pressure off during the peaks mine – into gas-fired power stations, which
tunities that it and troughs in employment [through min- has dropped their emissions straight away,
creates in the ing cycles],” Kirby said. making that a more sustainable project into
electricity and “We have the capacity and ability to dis- the future,” Kirby said.
energy sector cuss the next levels of manufacturing, we “There has been some smart work done
are really ex- have space available in around the Top in the gas industry and when it gets up and
NT Minister of Mines citing. Tennant End for manufacturing businesses to come running, we want to have a world-class hub
Hon paul Kirby Creek is a very to Darwin. There are some companies that in the NT. We know that is going to create
big region from just can’t get access into the energy market opportunities in the hard rock mining indus-
the north of Alice Springs right through to on the East Coast, so we know we have try as well. There are a number of mines on
the south of Darwin east and west of the the ability with a very long-term sustainable the cusp of financial investment decisions
Stuart Highway. It has the rail corridor right gas supply to encourage people with cheap and on the back of that there are another
alongside the highway to easily get the pro- and accessible energy market. They’re go- half a dozen coming to fruition in the next
duce to the port in Darwin,” Kirby said. ing to have the ability to look realistically at year or so.”
“We certainly have plenty of space avail- the NT as a safe option to come. That is
able for businesses and manufacturing. In certainly our focus to do that.” – Mark Andrews
the future we aim to be not only digging The big money investments made and
our minerals up and getting them out of being considered are ticks of approval
the Territory, but make sure we do give for the investment
ourselves the best opportunity of going to climate in NT and it
the next level of sustainable jobs through extends to the mining
manufacturing industries; that is certainly front as well.
some of the conversations the Chief Min- Earlier this year,
ister [Hon Michael Gunner] and myself are Newmont Goldcorp
having with different proponents at the mo- reaffirmed its com-
ment.” mitment to NT with
Energy costs have squashed the manu- the onset of a 62MW
facturing industry in Australia and it is an power station at Tan-
area the NT Government believes it can ami commissioned
create a hub. by Zentih Energy Ltd.
While the Government is encouraging It is expected that
manufacturing businesses to consider in- Newmont would re-
vesting in NT, Kirby said getting the sector veal more about a $1
off the ground would help the State deal billion programme it

a 62MW power station at Newmont’s Tanami
EV consultation gold project was commissioned earlier this year

The Northern Territory Labor Government’s strategy on only help us protect our environment, but will support this
climate risk and new economic and business opportunities new industry and the jobs that come with it.”
has gone up a notch with the release of the Preparing the With renewable energy and EVs, the average NT household
Northern Territory for Electric Vehicles Discussion Paper could reduce vehicle-running costs, making the cost of
2019. living cheaper for Territorians, with the discussion paper
The government has opened up the strategy to public hoping to highlight the potential opportunities and barriers
comment. that need to be considered in the development of EV policy
“The Territory Labor Government is continuing to address and infrastructure.
climate change while creating new business and economic It focuses on battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs, which
opportunities for Territorians,” Minister for Infrastructure, are likely to represent the most significant changes in
Planning and Logistics and Climate Change Hon Eva Australia’s vehicle fleet in the short and medium-term.
Lawler said. The paper also highlights passenger and light commercial
“There is an increasing global trend of consumers who vehicles, as these are the most likely to be the area
choose to purchase electric vehicles over standard with the greatest growth in the near future, and where
combustion engine vehicles, and our Government wants government involvement will be the most relevant.
to understand from Territorians how we can support an Consultation closes on November 17.
increase in electric vehicle uptake. The creation of an
electric vehicle policy will support our Government’s https://haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/EVdiscussionpaper
actions on addressing climate risk to transition to a low-
carbon economy. Responding to climate change will not

aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT NOVeMBeR 2019 Page 55