RIO TINTO GOVE MINE DECISION PENDING

Screening conveyor is still waiting on approval for a forty year lease agreement on its Gove bauxite and alumina mine in the Northern Territory.

Federal indigenous affairs minister Jenny Macklin is yet to make a decision on whether or not the agreement between the miner and traditional land owners will go ahead, the ABC has reported.

The miner’s lease agreement is set to run out this month.

"Concrete Crushing Process Plant is still under final investigation and I look forward to receiving advice from my department shortly," Macklin said.

"We will make a decision as soon as possible.

"The obligation that I have is to take advice on these matters and that will be done as quickly as I can."

Some groups have raised concerns that they have been left out of the lease negotiations.

Magellan Metals is deciding the future of its controversial lead mine.

Ivernia, the owner of Magellan, has raised nearly $20 million to fund care and maintenance while it carries out a review of the lead mine, the West Australian has reported.

The impact crusher has previously stated that it will not permanently close the mine after it reported its third breach of its environmental licence in the space of four months. 
Wiluna has come under increased scrutiny following a series of lead contamination scares along its rail line and port berth, after traces of lead were found to have escaped from sealed bags and lead was transported along undeclared rail lines.
Kalgoorlie MP John Bowler said it would be disappointing if a permanent ban was places on Magellan Metals and an environmental analysis should be done prior to a decision being made on the future of Magellan.

“They've voluntarily closed down," he said.

“Let's wait until we get the final analysis of what's happened here and let's hope that it doesn't drag on too long, because there are a lot of people here whose jobs are at stake.”