Oz Minerals announcement a welcome boost for Whyalla

06 May 2016 Media release

The Federal Government welcomes today’s announcement by Oz Minerals of further investment in its proposed Carapateena copper project and in a Concentrate Treatment Plant at Whyalla.

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne said the construction of the $150 million Concentrate Treatment Plant (CTP) was expected to create more than 100 jobs between 2017 and 2019, and lead to around 100 local ongoing jobs.

“This is a welcome boost for Whyalla, following uncertainty created by recent job losses at Arrium and the company being placed into voluntary administration,” Mr Pyne said.

“The announcement of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between Oz Minerals and Arrium administrator KordaMentha to explore possible site, infrastructure and port options at Whyalla is good news for the city.

“This project will support the ongoing viability of the Arrium steelworks and tap into Whyalla’s skilled labour force.”

Mr Pyne urged the South Australian Government to move quickly on its assessment of the CTP for Major Project status to give certainty to both Oz Minerals and the people of Whyalla and speed the progress of the project.

Mr Pyne said the Australian Government had implemented significant policy reforms to support Australia’s steel industry through measures to alleviate the costs of regulatory burden, including:

  • bringing forward a project to upgrade 600 kilometres of rail line between Adelaide and Tarcoola. The Australian Rail Track Corporation will partner with Arrium to deliver the upgrade, substantially boosting demand for steel production from Whyalla.
  • the Government’s November 2015 anti-dumping reforms, which address many of the concerns raised by Australian industry, and significantly strengthening Australia’s anti-dumping system.
  • the Anti-Dumping Commission is also analysing Asian steel and aluminium markets to identify trends in dumping and consider ways to improve the efficiency of investigations and possible additional measures.
  • the Government has delivered on its deregulation agenda by removing more than $4.5 billion in red and green tape since September 2013.
  • the repeal of the carbon tax.
  • the provision of a 100 per cent exemption from the Renewable Energy Target for emissions intensive, trade exposed industries.
  • the Building Minister’s Forum (which brings together Federal, State and Territory Minister) investigating non-conforming and non-compliant building products.
  • the COAG Industry and Skills Council meeting Ministers agreed to examine the opportunities and challenges of government procurement policies.