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Mine move a big deal for the West

INING is no longer the only economic string to the West Coast’s bow but it is still a major wealth provider for both the region and the state.

Tourism is now bringing more people, and more dollars, into the West.

But the closure of mines and the loss of mining jobs still had a massive impact on local population numbers, the local economy and State Government coffers through royalties.

News that the historic Mt Lyell mine could be back at full production by the end of next year has given the West Coast a new and timely spring in its step.

“It gives us a lot of hope,” West Coast Mayor Phil Vickers said yesterday, as the State Government announced it was giving Copper Mines of Tasmania $9.5 million to kickstart construction works needed to reopen the mine.

“The population of this region has halved in the last 15 years and rebuilding that population can only come about through real jobs.”

Queenstown, and the broader West Coast area, hit the doldrums in 2014 when Mt Lyell was placed on