Comprehensive guide to resource downstream processing released

11/7/96

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett has released a comprehensive guide to the downstream processing of resources now being undertaken in Western Australia.

The publication, 'Downstream Processing: An Overview of Resource Development Processing in Western Australia', contains both technical descriptions and project specific detail.

The 102-page volume lists 26 separate downstream processing technologies and the 36 different projects currently operating in this State.

The projects produce a diverse range of commodities, utilising technologies ranging from air separation - the production of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide - through to the Hismelt process used in iron production.

Projects include alumina, fused alumina, gallium chloride, gold refining, oil refining and liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas production. There are also the processing of ilmenite into synthetic rutile and titanium dioxide pigment and the processing of tantalum and tin.

Despite the diversity of the products involved, the projects have in common value-adding to WA's rich storehouse of natural resources.

"Downstream processing opens up a number of investment opportunities and offers direct and indirect benefits to the State," Mr Barnett said.

"It also offers significantly greater returns to investors.

"For much of its history, WA has been predominantly a supplier of unprocessed mineral products.

"However, many national and international companies are increasingly taking advantage of opportunities to invest in processing locally mined mineral and in our increasingly sophisticated range of chemical industries.

"By actively encouraging the establishment of viable downstream processing facilities, the State Government is acting as the catalyst to ensure maximum value is added to our minerals before export."

Mr Barnett said plans in the minerals sector were being evaluated for iron and steel production, rare earth processing aluminium fluoride and further fused materials.

"In the petroleum sector the planning is for an integrated petrochemical complex in the Pilbara, and several other chemicals projects such as methanol, ammonia/urea and ethylene glycol," he said.

"WA produces a significant proportion of the world's output of iron ore, alumina, nickel, gold, diamonds, tantalite, ilmenite, synthetic rutile and zircon. In addition, the State has abundant low-cost energy, a skilled workforce, a well-developed infrastructure, political stability and good industrial relations.

"The State has a number of comparative advantages to offer potential investors beyond its rich natural resources.

"These include its proximity to the emerging tiger economies of Asia, and energy reforms resulting in lower energy costs."

'Downstream Processing: An Overview of Resource Development Processing in Western Australia' is available from the Department of Resources Development, 170 St George's Terrace, Perth, WA 6000.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy 222 9699 or Malcolm Hollingsworth, DRD, 327 5527