Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis has promised the mining industry the state government will stick by it through the current downward slide in commodities prices.
Koutsantonis told the ‘Paydirt’ SA Resources and Energy Investment Conference that miners faced challenging times ahead, but the government would continue to back the industry.
“Quite frankly, the pathway ahead is challenging,” Koutsantonis said. “There is not a person in this room who isn’t aware of the dramatic fall in commodity prices, in particular iron ore and oil.
“Yet it is the work we do now that will determine the scale of our success when the inevitable upswing gathers pace. The South Australian government won’t be abandoning you during this cyclical downturn.
“Instead, we will continue to work on the strategic planning that is required to ensure South Australia takes its rightful place among the titans of mining.”
The comments come only a few weeks after Koutsantonis poured cold water on long-mooted plans for a deep sea port to service iron ore mines on Eyre Peninsula.