1. 19/06/2016, 17:51Boom beckons for Leinster - The West Australian
Page 1 of 3https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/goldfields/a/31694623/boom-beckons-for-leinster/
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Andrew Hall and Jarrod Lucas - Kalgoorlie Miner on May 26, 2016, 12:04 pm
Business confidence in the northern Goldfields town of Leinster is
expected to rise after BHP Billiton this week announced new
investment in the region aimed at extending the life of its Nickel West
operations until at least 2032.
Among the notable shake-ups for Nickel West is the resumption within weeks of a
2km-long underground drive to access the Venus deposit.
Shire of Leonora president and Leinster resident Peter Craig hailed BHP for “laying
their cards on the table” amid a lengthy depression for nickel.
He hoped the move would breathe new life into Leinster, which was was established
in the 1970s for workers servicing nearby nickel mines.
Confidence and security for Leinster, Leonora
Nickel West’s Mt Keith operation.
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2. 19/06/2016, 17:51Boom beckons for Leinster - The West Australian
Page 2 of 3https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/goldfields/a/31694623/boom-beckons-for-leinster/
“It’s not only good news for our Shire, but also for Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields in
general,” he said.
“What gets mined here goes via Leonora on the train through to the nickel smelter in
Kalgoorlie ... and then through to Kwinana in Perth.
“I commend Nickel West for coming out and laying their cards on the table.”
The drive to access Venus, touted as the best undeveloped nickel deposit in the world,
is expected to cost between $15 million and $20 million via the existing Perseverance
decline.
Cr Craig said the decision would boost confidence within the sector.
“It certainly (stimulates) renewed interest in the northern Goldfields and it gives those
who work here and live in Leinster, and the wider Leonora Shire, a sense of confidence
and security ... they’ve hung in and they’re here, there are jobs, and there will be more
jobs,” he said.
Cr Craig said people had steadily been moving back to Leinster over the past couple of
months in anticipation of such an announcement because Nickel West had ramped up
mining and exploration activity.
He noted student numbers had dropped below 50 last year and are back to 68, with
further growth anticipated.
Leinster is a base for Gold Fields workers at the Agnew-Lawlers gold mine, while
Ramelius Resources has also housed workers in the town for its Vivien and Kathleen
Valley gold mines, which began production last year.
“There has been an increase in fly-in, fly-out activity, but also an increase in resident
workers in the town,” Cr Craig said.
“Some of (our) smaller businesses now have the opportunity to reopen — coffee shops
and similar outlets that have been closed.
“We have information that there have been one or two families per week moving back
into Leinster, so that builds a positive outlook as well as building communities.
“If Leinster and Mt Keith weren’t operating, there’s probably 2000-3000 people along
that train line who are going to be out of jobs.”
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3. 19/06/2016, 17:51Boom beckons for Leinster - The West Australian
Page 3 of 3https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/goldfields/a/31694623/boom-beckons-for-leinster/
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