Nathan River Resources has been granted further approval from the Northern Territory Government to develop the next stage of its Nathan River Project in the Roper Gulf region.
Nathan River Resources, owned by British Marine Group (Britmar), took over the former Western Desert Resources Roper Bar iron ore mine in 2017 after the previous owner went into liquidation.
The mine, an established open-cut iron ore mine located approximately 55 kilometres southeast of Ngukurr, had been in care and maintenance since April 2015.
In February 2018, Nathan River Resources was approved to reopen the mine and ship existing stockpiled minerals and process low-grade ore at the site.
Nathan River Resources estimates approximately one million tonnes of high-grade iron ore will be mined and exported from the existing open pits and transported via the established haul road to the Bing Bong load-out facility.
Nathan River Resources staff are currently working on-site in critical maintenance roles under an approved COVID-19 Management Plan.
Additional staff will be required on-site when mining operations commence, with an additional COVID-19 Management Plan to be submitted to and approved by the NT Chief Health Officer should travel restrictions still be in place at the time.
Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby, approved the project’s Mining Management Plan and authorised the company to commence mining, in what he said will be a positive step forward for the project and the resources sector in the NT.
“The resources industry is the Territory’s largest industry sector and the single biggest contributor of own-source revenue to the NT economy.”
“The decision by Nathan River Resources to invest in this project is a welcome boost for the resources sector, the Territory’s economy and job opportunities for local people. It is a sign of confidence in the NT as a place to invest and exemplifies the significant potential of the Territory’s mining industry,” Minister Kirby said.
Nathan River Resources CEO, Stefan Murphy, said the Nathan River Project is a significant mining operation for the Northern Territory, with over $250m spent on infrastructure to-date to open up iron ore mining and employment opportunities for Territorians and the Roper region.
“Operations are scheduled to commence in quarter 3 this year, with more than 250 full-time positions expected across mining, haulage, marine and support functions.”
“We now look forward to working with our partners and suppliers in the Territory to refurbish the Project’s pit to port infrastructure over the coming months ahead of the resumption of iron ore exports.”