Representatives from MITEZ were among those invited to witness the opening of the Rocklands copper mine near Cloncurry where Member for Mount Isa, Rob Katter MP compared the history, the trials and tribulations in the development of the mine at Mount Isa to the many challenges faced by those involved with developing a mine at Rocklands.

David Glasson, MITEZ President agreed that the venture had faced numerous hurdles in getting to where it is today and congratulated everyone who had been involved for their perseverance despite the difficulties experienced along the way.

Mr Glasson said a much needed boost for the project came when Cudeco sought $63m in investor capital to complete the project and a joint venture arrangement with China Oceanwide International Investment Co and Sinosteel Equipment & Engineering Co, enabled Cudeco to continue and to complete the project.

“I congratulate Managing Director, Dr Dianmin Chen and his team at Cudeco for their efforts and success. This is indeed a very important event in the North West as it usually takes many years from an initial discovery of ore to the time a mine is developed and becomes operational.”

Mr Glasson said it was great news that of the 150 employees at the Rocklands mine, most of these would be local and this would certainly provide a significant boost particularly for Cloncurry.

“It’s not every day MITEZ is invited to the opening of a new mine in the North West, however with what’s happening at present, it appears we might be attending a few more in the years ahead.” he said.