New $5.6 billion Pilbara iron ore mine could create thousands of jobs

Brendan Foster

Published: January 23 2017 - 10:39AM

Western Australia is set to get a new $5.6 billion Pilbara iron ore project involving the billionaire Todd family from New Zealand.

Premier Colin Barnett said Balla Balla Infrastructure Group would build the six to 10 million-tonne-a-year iron ore mine on the Pilbara coast between Karratha and Port Hedland.

The project, which is expected to create 3,300 jobs during construction and 910 jobs once operational, will also see a 162-kilometre railway linked to central Pilbara.

"This State agreement includes a requirement for local industry participation and community development plans to be submitted to the government for approval, maximising the benefits of the project for West Australians," Mr Barnett said on Monday morning.

"The proposed export facility will use custom-built barges to transfer ore onto ships, reducing costs and environmental impacts."

State Development Minister Bill Marmion said despite a downturn in the mining sector, there was still investment opportunities in the WA resources sector.

"State agreements provide certainty for business, resulting in longer-term investment and advantages for the West Australian economy through jobs and community benefits," Mr Marmion said.

WA Labor's Ben Wyatt told Radio 6PR he also welcomed the news.

"That's a wonderful result if that mine comes off," he said.

"It would be another fillip for the people of the Pilbara and Western Australia."

The Todd family owns and controls the Todd corporation, an enterprise Forbes magazine estimated to be worth at least $1 billion in 2001.

- with AAP

This story was found at: http://www.watoday.com.au/content/adaptive/watoday/wa-news/new-56-billion-pilbara-iron-ore-mine-could-create-thousands-of-jobs-20170123-gtwph0.html