Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan has welcomed the re-opening of the Century Mine in north-west Queensland, describing it as “an historic event”.

Speaking today from the mine site at Lawn Hill, 250km north-west of Mount Isa, Minister Canavan said the jobs and income involved were important for the region.

“This project represents a $50 million investment and 250 jobs for the region, and also sees benefits flow to the Indigenous Owners,” Minister Canavan said.

“I am passionate about the mining industry and this project demonstrates why: it brings income and jobs to regional areas and improves the state and national economies as well.”

Minister Canavan congratulated New Century Resources on re-starting zinc production from the site, initially through harvesting zinc from old tailings.

“The overall operation includes the mine site, a 300km slurry pipeline to the coast and facilities at the port of Karumba.

“I understand the remaining mineral assets include over 2.2 million tonnes of zinc metal equivalent resources located within mineralised tailings, and over 1 million tonnes of zinc and lead resources in the Silver King, South Block and East Fault Block base metal deposits.

“Also, Century hosts several substantial phosphate deposits which are yet to be developed. 

“Restarting of operations and long-term ongoing infrastructure usage also eliminates the need for infrastructure dismantling and final closure activities until potentially well after 2050.

“This is an historic event of real significant to north-western Queensland and I value the opportunity to inspect the site and discuss their future plans with executives of New Century Resources.”