Get Ready For The Boom, Says Minerals Industry Chief

Oct. 7, 2008 - PRLog -- South Australian communities need to be prepared for the coming mineral boom to avoid the mistakes of other states, says Jason Kuchel, Chief Executive of South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy.

Mr Kuchel will address the Mining South Australia conference in Whyalla on 3-4 December.

A new resource boom is on the way but it will be at least another year or two before South Australia experiences the “full swing”, he says in an interview.

“But the most important thing from South Australia’s point of view is it is and will continue to be very steady growth and it’s growth we can count on.”

Mr Kuchel also expects the demand from Asian economies like China to remain strong in coming years to fuel their domestic growth regardless of a cooling of world economies.

South Australia will not initially have problems supplying the necessary skills and services that it needs as it has not stretched capacity to the limit.

“We have skilled workers who are currently working in WA and Queensland who have their families in South Australia. I think many of those are looking to come home.”

Federal Government approval of the expansion of the Beverly uranium mine was welcome because it will give “greater understanding for other uranium projects in terms of how they should proceed”.  However South Australia is fortunate in possessing a broad range of resources from base metals to mineral sands, even coal and oil and gas reserves.

At the Mining South Australia conference, Mr Kuchel will discuss how regional communities can take advantage of resources activity and ensure that other states’ past mistakes are not repeated in terms of social infrastructure and broader economic development.

Other speakers at the conference include Mark Malcolm, Executive Manager for Southern Flinders Ranges Development Board; Steve Arndt, Chief Executive Officer for Whyalla Economic Development Board; Dr Paul Heithersay, Executive Director for Minerals and Energy Resources, PIRSA; Jim Pollock, Mayor of City of Whyalla; and Geoff Brock, Mayor of Port Pirie Council.

Further information: http://www.iir.com.au/sa/pr2

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