How expensive would it be to establish a mining operation in space? This about the fuel costs involved in this venture. Hell, they are facing the possibility of the Nhullunbuy mines shutting because Rio Tinto wants the NT government to give them a supply of gas that is very hard to supply to them. It is so easy for a town to go bankrupt just over something like that. Or if there is not enough demand for the minerals anymore people go jobless.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/02/01/317182_ntnews.html
THE Chief Minister's last-minute bid to get gas for Gove has failed.
He was yesterday told by energy companies Santos and GDF that it was too late to ask for supplies from their projects off the Territory's west coast.
Executives listened politely to his plea - but told him firmly that exporting gas from Petrel, Tern and Bonaparte was "critical" to the success of the multibillion-dollar projects.
They said the NT Government had supported the ventures since they began in 2009 and had always known the gas would be shipped overseas, where it would fetch a much higher price than at home.
"Gas is not available for Gove," the executives said.
But Santos did offer to supply "as much gas as we can" from the Mereenie field in Central Australia.
And it said the company's vigorous exploration program was likely to open up gas fields that could supply Gove in the "next few years".
Mr Mills last night admitted he was now relying on the federal assistance to help find other gas supply options.
"Discussions today now cause us to look at Commowelath incentivisation for those that have gas available, but not able to be secured in the Northern Territory," he told Channel Nine.
"I remain hopeful that we can find a way through this, and I will continue working to achieve that end."
The gas is needed so that Pacific Aluminium can stop using expensive heavy oil as a power source for the bauxite mine and nearby town of Nhulunbuy.
Mr Mills said the company wanted 10 years of the Territory's 25-year supply of gas.
THE Chief Minister's last-minute bid to get gas for Gove has failed.
He was yesterday told by energy companies Santos and GDF that it was too late to ask for supplies from their projects off the Territory's west coast.
Executives listened politely to his plea - but told him firmly that exporting gas from Petrel, Tern and Bonaparte was "critical" to the success of the multibillion-dollar projects.
They said the NT Government had supported the ventures since they began in 2009 and had always known the gas would be shipped overseas, where it would fetch a much higher price than at home.
"Gas is not available for Gove," the executives said.
But Santos did offer to supply "as much gas as we can" from the Mereenie field in Central Australia.
And it said the company's vigorous exploration program was likely to open up gas fields that could supply Gove in the "next few years".
Mr Mills last night admitted he was now relying on the federal assistance to help find other gas supply options.
"Discussions today now cause us to look at Commowelath incentivisation for those that have gas available, but not able to be secured in the Northern Territory," he told Channel Nine.
"I remain hopeful that we can find a way through this, and I will continue working to achieve that end."
The gas is needed so that Pacific Aluminium can stop using expensive heavy oil as a power source for the bauxite mine and nearby town of Nhulunbuy.
Mr Mills said the company wanted 10 years of the Territory's 25-year supply of gas.
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