New $125m mineral sands mine in western Victoria

<p>Astron Mining has proposed a $125m mineral sands project in the western region of Victoria.</p> <p>Astron Mining’s proposed site is 240 km north west of Melbourne, and plans are to start production in early 2007.</p> <p>The company aims to mine up to 7.5m tonnes of ore initially.</p> <p>It has set aside $10m for infrastructure, including a new rail loading facility, and a railway line within 25 km from the project area. </p> <p>Portland is seen as the likely port for export.</p> <p>Astron is awaiting approval from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries and the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment.</p> <p>Astron Mining is among the top 250 listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange.</p> <p>It operates in 30 countries, including a manufacturing base in China, where it has 18 warehouses and 9 branch offices.</p> <p>Victorian resources minister Theo Theophanus said western Victoria was building up to be a strong mining region.</p> <p>Prominent projects already begun in the western region of Victoria include the $260m Iluka Douglas project near Horsham and Hamilton, and the resurgence of the Stawell gold mine.</p> <br />