Newman Government releases five shortlisted bidders for $25 billion Aurukun bauxite deposit

The Newman Government has released the details of the five shortlisted bidders with the successful venture to be announced by the end of the year.

The list includes Aluminium Corporation of China Limited (CHALCO) who owned the lease for seven years; Glencore International AG; Cape Alumina Consortium; Rio Tinto Aluminium Ltd; and newcomer Australian Indigenous Resources.

Chalco spent a reported $100 million of preparatory work on the 650 million tonne lode until it cancelled the $3 billion deal in 2011 citing the previous Queensland government requirement of building of a refinery as unviable.

In Cairns on Tuesday, Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the project was vital to the economic future of indigenous Cape York and Queensland