Published Thursday, 04 September, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Latin America focus for Queensland mining exports
The Queensland Government’s export strategy aimed at extending mining equipment, technology and services exports into Latin America is proving highly successful
Minister for Trade John Mickel today announced that the Latin American Mining Initiative (LAMI) helped 34 Queensland companies and generated export sales of over $52.5 million since its inception in April 2006.
“The Queensland Government’s main support for Queensland mining industry exporters has been through the LAMI and this $52.5 million result includes sales of $20 million in 2007-08,” Mr Mickel said.
“LAMI contributed to 23 separate export deals in 2007-08, ranging from refining equipment, mineral analysis detectors, engineering services, training, laboratory services and software for financial planning.
“The program helped deliver strong export sales for a large number of companies located across the State.
Mr Mickel said that Trade Queensland is currently developing further initiatives to ensure Queensland businesses will continue to be supported in pursuing export opportunities in the Latin American mining sector.
“One of the keys to LAMI’s success has been the strong relationships developed with major corporations and organisations in Latin America, such as Codelco in Chile, Newmont's Yanacocha Mine in Peru and the Gerdau Açominas Corporation of Brazil, as well as with regional governments, including the mining State of Minas Gerais in Brazil,” Mr Mickel said.
“These relationships are being further strengthened through recent visits by Queensland’s Commissioner for the Americas, Peter Beattie, and the initiatives he is spearheading in Latin America, including in the growth market of Colombia.
“Following an initial Colombia visit in July, Mr Beattie reported back to Trade Queensland on significant opportunities in building and expanding railways, ports and pipelines, mining equipment, technologies and services to be used in the extraction and transportation of coal, gas, petroleum, metals and precious stones.
“The Commissioner spoke at a Colombian National Coal Association meeting on 6 August, and arranged a complementary video conference on 5 August between Association representatives and Queensland and Colombian businesses.
“These initiatives are further assisting to position Queensland companies to service Colombian demand, with particular focus on a planned $30 billion rail and port infrastructure project,” Mr Mickel said.
In addition to support for Queensland firms to capture opportunities in the mining and associated infrastructure sectors in Latin America, the Queensland Government is helping to identify opportunities in the food and agribusiness, and education and training sectors.
Minister’s office: John Smith 3237 1944, Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
4 September, 2008
Minister for Trade John Mickel today announced that the Latin American Mining Initiative (LAMI) helped 34 Queensland companies and generated export sales of over $52.5 million since its inception in April 2006.
“The Queensland Government’s main support for Queensland mining industry exporters has been through the LAMI and this $52.5 million result includes sales of $20 million in 2007-08,” Mr Mickel said.
“LAMI contributed to 23 separate export deals in 2007-08, ranging from refining equipment, mineral analysis detectors, engineering services, training, laboratory services and software for financial planning.
“The program helped deliver strong export sales for a large number of companies located across the State.
Mr Mickel said that Trade Queensland is currently developing further initiatives to ensure Queensland businesses will continue to be supported in pursuing export opportunities in the Latin American mining sector.
“One of the keys to LAMI’s success has been the strong relationships developed with major corporations and organisations in Latin America, such as Codelco in Chile, Newmont's Yanacocha Mine in Peru and the Gerdau Açominas Corporation of Brazil, as well as with regional governments, including the mining State of Minas Gerais in Brazil,” Mr Mickel said.
“These relationships are being further strengthened through recent visits by Queensland’s Commissioner for the Americas, Peter Beattie, and the initiatives he is spearheading in Latin America, including in the growth market of Colombia.
“Following an initial Colombia visit in July, Mr Beattie reported back to Trade Queensland on significant opportunities in building and expanding railways, ports and pipelines, mining equipment, technologies and services to be used in the extraction and transportation of coal, gas, petroleum, metals and precious stones.
“The Commissioner spoke at a Colombian National Coal Association meeting on 6 August, and arranged a complementary video conference on 5 August between Association representatives and Queensland and Colombian businesses.
“These initiatives are further assisting to position Queensland companies to service Colombian demand, with particular focus on a planned $30 billion rail and port infrastructure project,” Mr Mickel said.
In addition to support for Queensland firms to capture opportunities in the mining and associated infrastructure sectors in Latin America, the Queensland Government is helping to identify opportunities in the food and agribusiness, and education and training sectors.
Minister’s office: John Smith 3237 1944, Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
4 September, 2008