Magnesite
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state located 240km south of the eastern side of the continent and separated by Bass Strait. Its area is 68,401km2, of which the main island covers 62,409 km2. Its location gives good export routes to Asian growth markets including China and India.
Activity in the Natural Resource Sector
Tasmania has a very active minerals exploration and mining industry with a wide variety of high-grade mineral deposits including iron ore, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tin tungsten, silica, dolomite, magnesite, platinum, chromite and coal. The mining and processing sector is Tasmania's largest export industry, accounting for 53% of mercantile exports in 2007/08.
Due to the long history of mining and mineral exploration in Tasmania, there is a highly skilled local workforce, particularly in the north-west of the island.
Infrastructure and Services
Tasmania is well supplied with transport infrastructure, with an extensive road and bridge network, 867km of railway network and four major deepwater ports. Power is both low in cost and reliable, with Tasmania being a net exporter of electricity. Most of Tasmania's electricity is generated using hydro-electric generators however the state also has Australia's largest wind farm, Woolnorth. Forecasts indicate that generation capacity will remain well above demand until at least 2017.
Mining Industry
Tasmania has a very active minerals exploration and mining industry with a wide variety of high-grade mineral deposits including iron ore, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tin tungsten, silica, dolomite, magnesite, platinum, chromite and coal.
