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June 15th, 2013 
Peter Nolan
Updated
The Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance says the suspension of the multi-billion dollar Oakajee deep water port project will not immediately affect Mid West miners.
Mitsubishi announced on Friday that it had mothballed its Oakajee Port and Rail project and placed the Jack Hills iron ore mine on care and maintenance.
The move follows a decision in November to cut spending on the project.
The Alliance’s CEO Rob Jefferies says the port can wait because miners can still export out of the existing port at Geraldton for about the next four years.
“I don’t think it’s really immediately required or certainly the demand from the iron ore miners is not there at this stage to justify that investment right now,” he said.
Mr Jefferies says other companies have already expressed some interest in developing a deepwater port at Oakajee.
“There’s already indications that there’s other interests, there are Chinese interest looking at it,” he said.
“I think it’s basically open for any major proponent with the capacity to come forward and they would be welcomed.
“They would be welcomed by the industry and they would be welcomed the State Government I’m sure.”
The Premier Colin Barnett says he is confident Oakajee can still be revived, with the help of Chinese investment.
Topics:
mining-industry,
government-and-politics,
business-economics-and-finance,
geraldton-6530,
perth-6000
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Source Article from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-15/miners-still-optimisitc-for-oakajee/4756276
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