Business
7 August, 2024
North West Phosphate says there is still plenty of work in the region
Mining jobs continue to pop up around the North West.
North West Phosphate boss John Cotter says the early construction works set to commence at the Paradise South mine site should reassure young apprentices and skilled workers there is a pipeline of new economic activity in the region.
As reported by North West Weekly, the resource company was the beneficiary of a $5.77m capital grant as part of a broader $30 million state government program to accelerate new mine construction near Mount Isa.
Mr Cotter said the grant would fast-track the construction of a haul road into the planned Paradise South processing plant and a connection road into the adjacent Lady Loretta Mine, which is owned by Glencore.
He said road construction was set to commence by October, which was several months ahead of schedule, and would employ 75 workers, including Mount Isa contractors and sub-contractors.
“Moving dirt to get an area ready for big projects is bread and butter activity for Mount Isa,” Mr Cotter said during an interview last week.
“Our commitment to Mount Isa and the Queensland Government is to make sure we are bringing jobs forward and also keeping young people in training who might think that because of Glencore’s recent announcements they have to leave town.
“We are trying to keep those young people in the city.
“We were always moving forward with our project, but we are hoping the symbolism and support of the Queensland Government shows some of the young apprentices and workers in Mount Isa that there is a pipeline of work and not to think that it’s all bad news
“I think the North West has a bright future – we just need to think about other commodities.”
The proposed Paradise South phosphate mine site, which is about 130km north-west of Mount Isa, is expected to employ about 492 workers during construction and would require about 245 workers once up and running.
Mr Cotter said the company was committed to employing “as many locals as possible” during both the construction and operation phases.
The open cut mine has a forecast resource of two million tonnes of phosphate ore per year, with an initial life of at least 20 years.