Go-ahead for $60M Nifty copper project

The go-ahead for the $60 million Nifty copper project in the Throssell Range in Western Australia represents another success for the State Government's industry incentive scheme.

"This project which will create 100 full-time jobs and 150 construction jobs has been made possible through the provision of a special royalty rate and a $2 million loan facility from the State Government," Mr Taylor said.

"It is pleasing to note that Western Mining Corporation is happy with the royalty rate which was negotiated on the basis of the finished product.

"The loan will be used for infrastructure development and was negotiated by myself and the Department of State Development."

Mr Taylor said the project would produce immediate flow-on benefits to the State's mining and processing support industries as some contracts for the development were about to be issued.

WMC has already committed to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that as many as possible of the workforce are recruited from the Pilbara region.

The project will involve a significant level of downstream processing to produce copper cathode (99.98 per cent copper metal).

"The company had told the Government that the Nifty investment was marginal after consideration of the risks of the project and its investment alternatives," Mr Taylor said.

"For this reasons, it was the State Government's assistance package which was the catalyst for tipping the scales in favour of it proceeding.

"It is appropriate that just two days after Premier Lawrence brought down the Budget, which included major incentives for business and industry, the mine should be given the green light."