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30/10/09Bligh Government resources supporting mines economic resilience
Queensland's mining industry continues to show economic resilience with more than 45,800 people working in the field - 8000 more than at the height of the 'boom', in August 2008 - and the Bligh Government today announced two new initiatives to further bolster the mines industry and Queensland's economy.
Speaking at the QRC Exploration Breakfast for the Mining 2009 Resources Convention, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said this is a remarkable result which is testimony to the hard work of industry and support provided by the Bligh Government.
"There's no doubt our mining industry has felt the impact of the global financial crisis but through industry and government's dedication and good planning this result speaks for itself," he said.
"The fundamentals are there, and over time and with our support the economy will regain the momentum that put us ahead of the pack.
"The first initiative will involve 10 new officers recruited to support the burgeoning LNG industry within our streamlining initiative.
"By July 2010 - through a combination of staff reallocation and recruitment, government expects to have an additional 20 people on board dedicated to the delivery of tenures approvals.
"Our $29 million Smart Mining - Future Prosperity program has delivered outstanding levels of investment in Queensland - despite the downturn - and we are supporting this exploration by bringing projects to fruition, faster.
"Exploration expenditure in Queensland has increased over 80 per cent from $353.9 million in 2005-06 to a new record of $639.9 million in 2008-09.
"This is even up on the $563.3 million invested in 2007-08 at the height of the resources 'boom' and clearly this means jobs."
Mr Robertson said the second initiative would establish a new Greenfields Prospectivity Unit to further encourage energy and mineral exploration.
"The perception that Queensland is a mature exploration destination is far from the truth," he said.
"This vast state has major exploration frontiers with huge potential - both under explored and under developed.
"This new unit will operate from the premise that new discoveries will come with the application of new ideas and new techniques.
"It will focus on areas with favourable environments for major ore deposits concealed beneath cover that have previously been considered too difficult and expensive to explore.
"The Bligh Government is supporting Queensland's mining industry to not only explore but develop and as the figures show, this means jobs."
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