Monday 8 May 2006
NT News
by Chris Carter

MINING company Compass Resources has been given the environmental green light to mine copper, cobalt and nickel in the NT.

Natural Resources Minister Marion Scrymgour concluded the mining project, proposed for a site near Batchelor, ``can be managed without unacceptable environmental impacts''.

Mines and Energy Minister Kon Vatskalis said the Browns Oxide mine would become a major international minerals supplier.

``I've been advised there's a significant ore body underneath the Browns Oxide site,'' he said.

``The reality is it (Browns Oxide) will become a significant producer of cobalt on the world stage.''

Last year Compass sought approval from the NT Government to mine a 175ha area contained in 12mineral leases 7km north of Batchelor.

The company planned to mine 10,000 tonnes of copper, 1000 tonnes of cobalt and 700 tonnes of nickel each year for four years.

The decision on whether to allow the mine to go ahead rests with the Federal Government.

Mr Vatskalis said the mine would ``bring back life to Batchelor''.

``Cobalt, nickel and copper prices are skyrocketing ... it will bring people back to Batchelor and money into the local economy.''

The site of the proposed mine is close to the former Rum Jungle Mine, which was closed in 1971 after uranium from the mine contaminated the Finniss river.