The innovative business by Australian Bauxite Limited, which has developed new technologies to improve bauxite application across the aluminium, cement and fertiliser industries has shown the intent of another new and larger bauxite mine at Fingal Rail, near Conara in Tasmania.
Since 2015, the bauxite mining company has supplied commodities to the fertiliser and cement industries from its Bald Hill Mine site, near Campbell Town.
On 23rd June 2021, Ian Levy, the CEO and Managing Director of the company while displaying a presentation for the Gold Coast Investment Showcase investor event, said: “The company's focus in 2021-22 would include a new long-term mine in Tasmania to produce cement-grade bauxite.”
The company is seeking a mining lease from the state government for Fingal Rail.
The 20-year bauxite mine at Binjour, an inland from Bundaberg, to start production in 2022 was also included.
The presentation revealed that the Queensland project would be fully funded by an Indian bauxite producer that collaborated to supply the aluminium industry in India, China and Australia.
Alcore, the 87%-owned subsidiary stresses with plans to become Australia's pioneer producer of aluminium fluoride, an essential product for aluminium smelters. It focuses to develop its first production site at Bell Bay.
The presentation further disclosed: “Australia was the only significant aluminium producer without an aluminium fluoride plant, while aluminium fluoride sales to Australia from China had been reduced to zero.”
"Australasia must become self-sufficient in aluminium fluoride to avoid smelter closures.”