The Regional Minerals Program (RMP) project titled Northern Australia Transport Infrastructure Study was commissioned by the Northern Territory Government Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines under the Regional Minerals Program. The objective of the study was to identify infrastructure needs for minerals development in the Study Area and to make recommendations for infrastructure that would enhance minerals development opportunities. Whilst focussing on transport infrastructure, the study also examined energy and communications infrastructure.
The geographical area of the study is the northern coastal region of the Northern Territory from Darwin to the Queensland border. It also includes Arnhem Land and near shore islands (notably the Tiwi Islands), and the McArthur Basin geological province.
A key finding of the study is that the region holds substantial potential for significant new mineral discoveries of uranium, base metals, manganese, bauxite, diamonds, platinium group metals, heavy mineral sands and several other commodities. Given the known minerals endowment and with increased exploration, the area is likely to host several additional mining operations.
The identified impediments to exploration and mining include the remoteness, lack of infrastructure and high transportation costs, and difficult climatic conditions of the wet season. Problems with access to land are a particular impediment to increased exploration in the Northern Territory, including the Study Area. Proposed changes to the Commonwealth Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, together with improved relationships between Aboriginal people and mining companies should result in faster and more efficient grants of mining titles.
The study report has made a number of recommendations that prioritise infrastructure needs dealing with transport, energy and communications.
The study commenced in June 2004 and was completed in June 2005.
To obtain a copy of the Report, please see the downloadable file below. The Executive Summary is also available.