fo i\vvr

Issued b y :-  '

The Minister for the Interior EMBARGOED:  FOR RELEASE 1600 A.E.S.T. (4p.m.) SUNDAY 13 AUGUST

INVITATION OF PROPOSALS FOR EXPLORATION - RUM JUNGLE AREA

The Minister for the Interior, Mr Ralph Hunt, today invited interested

companies to submit proposals to explore four areas at Rum Jungle, previously

held under mining reservation for the Australian Atomic Energy Commission.

A further three areas will be offered direct to companies already

holding titles over non-commercial deposits at Rum Jungle so that the

companies may, if they find additional reserves,  develop the deposits.

This offer will be subject to substantial work undertakings and if these

are not agreed to the areas will be made available for public application.

The areas for which applications are being invited have been

subdivided on the basis of main mineral of interest, namely uranium, base

metals, magnesite and phosphate. ,

Mr Hunt^said it is hoped that further exploration will result in

additional finds which could lead to viable mining operations.

The present release follows the cessation of uranium mining operations

carried out on behalf of the Commonwealth at Rum Jungle.

A considerable amount of exploration work has been d<5ne in the Rum .

Jungle area over the years by the Bureau of Mineral Resources and Territory ,

Enterprises Pty Ltd on behalf of the Atomic Energy Commission. The result

of this work will be made available to intending applicants.

Mr Hunt said that it is the Government's intention that any significant

commercial discovery in the area be developed to.the maximum advantage of

the Northern Territory and Australia. Matters to be taken into account in

the consideration of applications will include the exploration and expenditure

programmes proposed,  current Australian equity in the applicant company and

intentions towards significant Australian equity participation, particularly

for any production phase, and opportunities proposed for significant

participation by Australians in management.

Information for intending applicants, including boundaries of areas,

proposed conditions for exploration licences, likely development conditions

and application forms may be obtained from the Director of Mines, Darwin,

with whom applications should be lodged.

Geological information on .the Rum Jungle area may be examined at the

office of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, and at the Mines

Branch, Darwin. '  '  '

. 2 .

Mr Hunt said,the mineral' industry of the Territory is continuing

Ã¢ÂÂ   its growth. The value of mine and quarry production in the Territory in'

1971 was approximately 345 million, more than 2/z times the value of production

.  five years ago. .

This trend can be expected to increase significantly in the future

because of the industry's current expansion plans and prospects for the

development of new mineral discoveries.

.  CANBERRA

DARWIN 15 AUGUST 1972

