THE Government is aware of plans by Australian Bauxite to place the Bald Hill mine into care and maintenance.
Production at the mine has been suspended after the company failed to secure a buyer for its first shipment of bauxite products due to Chinese refineries stockpiling larger inventories of bauxite.
The Government has had ongoing discussions with Australian Bauxite in our attempts to assist but the market has proven too difficult for them to continue operations at this time.
While this development is regrettable, the mine will continue to be maintained at an operational level pending a secure sale.
The Government will continue to work with Australian Bauxite through the care and maintenance period to do what we can to assist the company and workers through this difficult period.