The Liberal Government welcomes today's start of civil works at the Bald Hill bauxite mine near Campbell Town and the economic benefits it will bring to the region.
Around 1.5 million tonnes of bauxite, the main ingredient in aluminium, will be mined by Australian Bauxite Limited (ABx) and shipped through Bell Bay for both domestic and international markets.
Up to 180 jobs are expected to be created from the Bald Hill Mine, including 45 direct jobs and around 135 indirect jobs.
The bauxite will be panel mined and topsoil will then be replaced on to the disturbed areas, while there will be no waste rock dump or tailings dump required.
Bald Hill is Australia's first new bauxite mine in more than 35 years and comes at the perfect time for Tasmania, with the emergence of China as a major consumer of the type of bauxite Tasmania produces, which is in short supply worldwide.
That supply shortage has led to a firming in the price which, coupled with the low Australian dollar at the moment, makes Australian bauxite more globally competitive and gives us a chance to become a long-term player in this market place.
ABx is also looking at other prospective sites in Tasmania and this project will provide a lead-in to other potential bauxite deposits.
Tasmania has a rich history when it comes to in mining but particularly in this area, as our state is where the Australian aluminium industry began after World War II, with the first bauxite screen process plant, alumina refinery and aluminium smelter in Australia all built at Bell Bay.
The opening of the Bald Hill mine will not only generate welcome economic activity but showcases the mineral diversity and potential of Tasmania.
Tasmania is open for business under the Liberal Government and we will continue to work with our mining sector to capitalise on the industry as one of our state's key strengths.