TheTanami Gas Pipeline has officially been opened by Minister for Primary Industryand Resources, Paul Kirby, as part of NewmontMinings $346 million Tanami power project.
The project is expected to provide theTanami gold mine with a safe and reliable energy source that lowers power costsand carbon emissions by 20 per cent.
It involved the installation of twopower stations, a 66 kilovolt interconnected power line and the TerritoryGovernments approval to operate a 450-kilometre gas pipeline.
TheTanami Gas Pipeline will provide gas to Newmonts Granites gold mine locatedapproximately 550km north-west of Alice Springs in the Tanami Desert.Historically the mining operations have had to rely on diesel to operate, whichmeant a pause in production if roads became impassable and diesel could not getthrough.
Newmonts exploration success at Tanamimay also extend its mine life beyond 2028, with the company considering asecond expansion project. Newmonts first expansion of Tanami in 2017 hasincreased mine capacity by 80,000 ounces of gold a year.
Newmont will make a full fundingdecision on the proposed expansion at Tanami in the second half of the year.
Quotesfrom the Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby.
The Territory Labor Governments number one priority is creating jobs,so I am pleased to open the Tanami Gas Pipeline which willsupport jobs at Newmonts Territory mining operations.
Under our Government, we are seeing confidence in the Territorysmining sector and strong interest in our resources.
OurGovernment will continue to support investment into the Territorys miningsector creating local business opportunities and delivering local jobs.
