Mining to be axed in the Mitchelle Plateau

Thanks Dunc - at least some part of WA wont be dug up and shipped to China and what a superb place this is.

“Some places are too important to mine, and thankfully Rio Tinto agrees,” Pew Charitable Trusts director Barry Traill said.

Rubbish!!

If it had of been financially viable the mafia boys of Rio Tinto would have gouged every bit of dirt out of it...

Thanks to the Mod squad for fixing the llink.

Cheers

D

The bigfish has it!

G'day everyone

You may well wonder as to what the trade off might be, with Rio Tinto gladly handing back mining rights in the Kimberley.

The trade off is that they will be allowed to mine even more of the Pilbara.

Safe travels : Joe Fury

Couldnt' help smiling to myself reading the comments about Rio Tinto relinguishing their right to mine bauxite on Mitchell Plateau. People are quick to belittle the mining company re destroying areas of country that hosts necessary minerals to manufacture a large amount of products the caravanners and campers of today use to enjoy their pursuit of adventures into the remote areas.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that if mining companies had not pioneered the Mitchell Plateau no one except those who could afford expensive air flights would have been able to enjoy this beautiful part of West Australia. The access by road is only possible because of exploration as is the massive airstrip that is capable of landing large Dept of Def aircraft. Also when The partners in Mitchell Plateau Bauxite decided to withdraw their activities in 1986 they undertook to maintain the roads after each wet season so access was possible. The money spent in the area was in the vicinity of $23,000,000 dollars back in the 70's and 80's and that didn't include development of the stations , Doongan and Mitchell river. Mitchell river was abandoned and all buildings and fittings donated to Kalumbaru mission for the aboriginals who had lived at Mitchell Plateau. A reconciliation was done with these people and both sides of the actual Plateau was declared aboriginal reserve. Mining was considered viable as a deep water port and a townsite was surveyed at Port Warrender. The world demand for bauxite was at a low when exploration was completed and as Gove was in operation and Wagerup WA was completed and on hold it was deemed un necessary for another bauxite mine to commence at that time. So tourists, each time you traverse that rocky track spare a thought for the mining company,(AMAX) in the first instance that made it possible for you to access the spot, and obtain detail of all species of Flora and Fauna at your request.