Today marks the 80th anniversary of Tasmania’s Rosebery mine, now the state’s longest continuous running operation.
Tasmania’s North-West is one of the most heavily mineralised regions in Australia, and it is this natural resource that has driven the longevity of the Rosebery mine.
But it is also largely a reflection of the people who have worked and invested in the industry too.
Over the past eight decades thousands of locals have worked at the mine and today there are third generations working there who plan for their children, a fourth generation, to follow.
It is the dedication and ingenuity of these workers that have given investors, like the current owners MMG, the confidence to invest in Tasmania and create jobs.
It is important to recognise that the mine is owned by our Chinese friends, a great practical demonstration of the way we can succeed in partnership and achieve mutual benefit.
Of course, the Chinese people have a long history of mining in Tasmania, dating back to the pioneering tin-mining days in the North East. We have every reason to believe there will be a bright future too, with MMG planning to increase annual production at Rosebery.
As a Government we unashamedly back Tasmania’s resource industries like mining and forestry. They are the backbone of our economy and particularly our regional communities.
The latest export figures show that mining and mineral processing accounts for more than half of our international export value in 2015, totally more than $1.5 billion.
While we have felt the effects of a global downturn in commodity prices, the Tasmanian Government is working to ensure that Tasmania has as many projects as possible ready to take advantage of an upswing in the markets when that does occur.