Mar. 22, 2011 - Iluka Resources and Bemax Resources have put forward plans for new mineral sand mines in Balranald, NSW.
The miners have approached the shire council regarding the mines, which could create up to 300 jobs.
Named the West Balranald heavy mineral deposit, the potential mine is located approximately 20km north west of the town of Balranald.
Balranald mayor Steve O'Halloran said the impact of the mines after a decade of drought would be enormous.
"In the initial stages they're talking of requiring up to 300 people to be employed to establish the mines," he said.
The population of the shire is around 2500 people.
"The flow on affects will be absolutely incredible and we're really looking forward to making it happen.
"We're hoping we'll be able to work with them closely and facilitate whatever they require and of course that'll then mean we need the State Government to assist us with the development applications as quickly as possible to get these operations in place."
Iluka's managing director, David Robb, has previously said that this deposit outside of Balranald underpins its operations in the northern part of the Murray Basin.
Bemax Resources believes that the future of mineral sands in Australia lies within the development of the Murray Basin.
The miners have approached the shire council regarding the mines, which could create up to 300 jobs.
Named the West Balranald heavy mineral deposit, the potential mine is located approximately 20km north west of the town of Balranald.
Balranald mayor Steve O'Halloran said the impact of the mines after a decade of drought would be enormous.
"In the initial stages they're talking of requiring up to 300 people to be employed to establish the mines," he said.
The population of the shire is around 2500 people.
"The flow on affects will be absolutely incredible and we're really looking forward to making it happen.
"We're hoping we'll be able to work with them closely and facilitate whatever they require and of course that'll then mean we need the State Government to assist us with the development applications as quickly as possible to get these operations in place."
Iluka's managing director, David Robb, has previously said that this deposit outside of Balranald underpins its operations in the northern part of the Murray Basin.
Bemax Resources believes that the future of mineral sands in Australia lies within the development of the Murray Basin.
