Australia To Weigh Barrier-Reef Impact Of Rio Mine Proposal

Australia's Environment Minister Tony Burke said he will assess the potential environmental impact on the Great Barrier Reef of Rio Tinto Ltd.'s (RIO.AU) proposed bauxite mine and port development in Queensland state.

The receipt of "significant new information" means that a review of the South of Embley Bauxite Mine and Port Development should include consideration of the impact on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, World Heritage properties and National Heritage Places, Burke said in a statement Friday.

"The Great Barrier Reef is one of our most significant environmental assets and has been recognised as among the world's healthiest coral reef ecosystems and best managed marine areas," he said.

In September 2010, Rio Tinto Weipa Pty Ltd. submitted a proposal for federal environmental assessment to extend its existing bauxite mining operations south of the Embley River near Weipa on western Cape York, he said.

 
   By Ray Brindal, Dow Jones Newswires; 612 62080902; [e-mail]