Studies into feasibility of Mid-West region quicklime industry

15/2/95

A substantial quicklime industry could emerge in Western Australia's Mid-West region if two feasibility studies lead to the development of lime sand deposits in the Dongara area.

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett said a Mid-West quicklime industry would benefit the State by providing a significant source of quicklime to meet local industry requirements, particularly in the alumina, gold, steel, titanium mineral and construction industries.

Mr Barnett welcomed today's announcement by Cockburn Cement for a feasibility study to be carried out with the aim of establishing a plant at Dongara to manufacture quicklime from its local reserves of lime sand.

"If the project proved feasible, it would involve a capital investment of more than $25 million and would create about 80 jobs during construction and 25 permanent jobs during full production," he said.

"Quicklime produced at the plant would be supplied to the mineral sands industry in the Geraldton area and gold mines in the Murchison region."

Last month, Westlime (WA) Limited, a subsidiary of Westralian Sands Ltd, announced that it had commissioned a detailed feasibility study into proposals for a $25 million plant to produce more than 150,000 tonnes of quicklime a year from a major high quality lime sand deposit at Dongara.

The proposals include a peak construction workforce of about 100 people.

Mr Barnett said the proposed quicklime projects would provide equal benefits for regional development by helping to diversify the industrial base in the Mid-West and provide local employment opportunities.

The Minister also said that plans by Cockburn Cement to build a new $76 million lime kiln at its South Coogee plant would ensure that the State was self-sufficient in lime production well into the next century.

He said most of the expenditure on the kiln project would be spent in WA, providing construction work for local contractors.

"A new kiln would also increase production of cement clinker, some of which has to be imported," Mr Barnett said.

Media contact:  Carolyn Vicars - 222 9699