Minister for Mineral Resources, Kerry Hickey, said the State Government’s 2004/05 Budget would ensure Mineral Resources’ smooth transition to Maitland.
“Relocating Mineral Resources to the Hunter Region makes sense,” Hickey said. “It brings staff and operations closer to the Northern Coalfields - the heart of our State’s $7 billion-a-year mining industry.“Maitland will become a centre of excellence in the mining industry.”
The Mine Safety Technology Centre in Thornton, where mine equipment will be tested and trialled, will be ready in the next month or so.
“Upgrading Mineral Resources’ IT capabilities ensures our customers – whether they are in Sydney, Broken Hill or Vancouver - will benefit from better, faster electronic service delivery and access to the specialist support staff offer,” Hickey said.
The budget also boosted the New South Wales Government’s mine safety program by $3.2 million bringing the State Government’s total program expenditure to $21.5 million since its inception in 1998-99.
Key achievements to date include the introduction of new legislation, the establishment of an independent Investigation Unit and major education, information and enforcement programs.
“NSW has a mine safety record that ranks with the world’s best, but recent tragic incidents in the Hunter show we cannot afford to become complacent,” Hickey said.
The environment also receives a boost, with $1.6 million for the Derelict Mines Program. Mineral Resources total Budget expenditure is $60.3 million, an increase of $4.9 million on projected total expenditure in 2003/04 of $55.4 million.
