Resources Minister given the grand tour
By Kim Bartley
Feb. 6, 2014, 4 a.m.
THE AUSTRALIAN Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has shown off the demonstration pilot plant it manages on behalf of Alkane Resources to NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts.
The demonstration pilot plant has been crucial in Alkane Resources' bid to launch the $1 billion Dubbo Zirconia Project (DZP) based on a world-class resource of zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, yttrium and rare earth metals at Toongi, 25 kilometres south of Dubbo.
Assessment of the environmental impact statement for the DZP by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure is currently under way with Alkane Resources? wholly-owned subsidiary Australian Zirconia Limited hoping to begin pre-construction work in the second half of this year.
The department will make a recommendation to the Independent Planning Assessment Commission which will decide whether to approve the DZP.
Minister Roberts noted the "world-class" nature of the DZP during the tour of the ANSTO Lucas Heights campus this week.
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