Discovery leads to plans for third bauxite mine

TASMANIA’S sole bauxite mine operation is about to expand on the back of a new discovery near Bell Bay.

The site will become Australian Bauxite’s third mine site and the discovery brings the state’s total identified deposits to 9.2 million tonnes.

Australian Bauxite already operates mines at Campbell Town and west of Launceston.

In spring, environmental studies will be conducted to confirm there are no socio-environmental barriers to development.

In an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange, the company said it was ready to start shipping bauxite out of Bell Bay next month.