Budget helps heal decades of neglect

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the State Budget would inject extra funds into the rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites in Queensland.

“While we reap the benefits of the resources boom, we should not turn our back on those old mines that helped forge our strong economy,” Mr Wilson said.

“Some of these old mine sites are a legacy of decades of neglect that saw mining companies move in, make their millions and move on,” he said.

The Minister said the State Government would continue to manage and rehabilitate abandoned mine sites with $8.2 million set aside over four years.

“Extra funding in this year’s Budget will be spent on two of the worst affected mine sites in the state - Croydon in the north west and Mt Morgan in Central Queensland.

“In announcing the funding, I have to acknowledge the strong representations made by the Member for Mt Isa, Betty Kiernan and the Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce.

“Jim Pearce invited me to inspect the abandoned Mt Morgan mine site not long after I became a Minister and convinced me of the need to pour extra funds into its rehabilitation,” he said.

The Minister said additional capital funding of $3 million along with $1.8 million in recurrent funding would be spent on mine rehabilitation work at Mount Morgan and Croydon.

Mining began in Mount Morgan in 1882. It was named after the Morgan brothers who pegged out a gold mining lease on what was known as Ironstone Mountain.

They formed a syndicate with some Rockhampton businessmen to mine the mountain. One of the partners, William Knox D’Arcy went on to London and later made another fortune drilling oil in the Middle East in a venture which led to the formation of the famous BP Company.

When the mine closed in 1981, it had produced 225 000 kg of gold, 50 000 kg of silver and 360 000 tonnes of copper in a 99 year period.

“The result of all this activity is that what was once a large mountain is now one of the largest artificial holes on earth, over 300 metres deep.

“We will spend these funds in consultation with local stakeholders so that actions taken will be in the best interests of the community,” Mr Wilson said.

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