MINING PROJECTS

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Is the minister aware of any new mining projects in South Australia and the benefits being generated for the local economy?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:39): Fortunately I am. I was delighted to join the Premier Mike Rann last week to officiate at the opening by Terramin Australia of the first new metal mine in the Adelaide Hills for more than 50 years. Zinc, lead and silver is now being sourced from the Angas deposit near Strathalbyn, generating jobs and investment that an independent study estimates will boost South Australia's economy by $29 billion a year.

The zinc concentrate produced from the Angas mine is to be transported in covered B-double trucks to Port Adelaide for export. Silver lead concentrate from the mine is to be transported by covered trucks to Port Adelaide or Port Pirie for shipping or smelting. The investment and new jobs generated by the Angas mine are just the latest example of the economic benefits flowing from the new wave of mining activity sweeping South Australia. There were four mines operating when this government took the reins, after years of neglect of the mining sector under the Liberals.

The Hon. B.V. Finnigan: How many are there now?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: Since then, the number of mines either opened or under construction has more than doubled—more than doubled, almost trebled. By the end of this year or early next year, it will have trebled, but rather than putting all our eggs in one basket—as one very ill-formed commentator in another place has suggested—this government has encouraged a diversity of mining projects across the state.

The new Angas mine has created jobs during the construction and operational phase and is providing significant economic benefits, especially for the Strathalbyn community. Australia's mining industry had its origins in the Adelaide Hills in the early days of South Australian settlement. This part of the state is again helping to drive our economy. Many of the new mining projects under consideration are located in remote parts of the state, but we should not overlook the contribution to the economy made by the resources located in the Mount Lofty Ranges. Mining in these ranges supported the state in the early years and is again making a valuable contribution as we move further into the 21^st century. There are more than 20 more mines on the way, some in the far west, some in the far north and some in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

I join the Premier in commending Terramin Australia for its commitment to the Angas project and its diligence throughout the extensive assessment process that included a great deal of scope for public consultation. The granting of a lease for the Angas mine followed a thorough community consultative process (chaired by former premier Dean Brown) that addressed many of the concerns identified by local residents. This community consultative committee will continue to work with Terramin Australia throughout the life of the mining lease to ensure that the conditions arising from the consultative process are fully implemented. The more than 80 conditions imposed on the mine operator cover a range of issues including ground water, erosion, vegetation, waste disposal, tailings, noise, traffic, public safety and public complaints. These conditions also require Terramin to measure, within three months of the start-up of the ore-processing plant, the odour emission rates and demonstrate that it is not exceeding emission limits.

The investment in the Angas mine and the continued interest in South Australia for exploration reflects the confidence that minerals companies have to invest in this state. This confidence reflects the supportive policies provided by this government, highlighted by the hugely successful PACE initiative. With a second wave of mine projects in the pipeline, this government is committed to ensuring that South Australia realises the full potential of the ongoing mineral boom. This year's state budget allocated $14.1 million to ensure that South Australia is better able to translate the hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in exploration into new mines. This investment in the mining sector means more well-paid jobs, more export earnings and more income for this state.

I know that the opposition does not like to hear that. It is keen to talk down the opportunities being generated by this government in the hope that, by running down the state's potential, it will somehow improve its political fortunes, but this government does not resile from the fact that it supports mineral exploration in this state. That support explains why spending on exploration in the June quarter this year reached a record level of $95.2 million. We want to encourage mining companies to develop the ore bodies they discover as part of that record level of exploration, so that they can invest in this state to generate the kind of well-paid jobs that support South Australian families and raise living standards. This government is committed to bringing prosperity to this state, and I welcome the opening of the Angas mine in Strathalbyn as yet a further example of this government delivering on that commitment.