MORE than 2000 people gathered at Tullah yesterday for what Premier Lara Giddings described as ``the biggest pro-mining rally ever in Tasmania''.
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Organised by the state government and the Australian Workers Union, the rally was held to show support for the industry and new mines in the Tarkine planned by Venture Minerals near Tullah.
It is believed that the mines would provide about 1000 jobs and generate millions of dollars a year in revenue.
Union secretary Ian Wakefield said the crowd well exceeded expectations and demonstrated that people understood the importance of the mining industry to Tasmania's prosperity.
``When one out of three kids can't get a job, the only way to turn that around is if you have industry and industry for the future,'' Mr Wakefield said.
``That can only happen if you have got new projects to replace other projects when they wind up.''
Ms Giddings, Resources Minister Bryan Green and West Coast Mayor Darryl Gerrity were among about 10 speakers to address the crowd.
Scott Jordan, of the Save the Tarkine Coalition, said misinformation was being spread about the organisation's motives.
``We are still hearing a lot of misinformation from people in public positions who should know better that we are out to shut down the mining industry - it is not a correct statement,'' Mr Jordan said.
``I would like to hear them telling people the truth about what this debate is over, and that is the protection of the Tarkine area, and the area nominated doesn't include any of the existing mines.
``So it is quite alarming when we hear people at Savage River and Rosebery being told that their jobs are on the line - they're not on the line and they never have been.''
Ms Giddings said mining was one of the cornerstones of the state's economy, and she threw her support behind new mines across Tasmania.
She said mining jobs in the state had increased by 2000 in the past two years.
``The government fought hard against the heritage listing of the Tarkine, and the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the industry since the federal Liberal government nominated the area for assessment has been lifted,'' she said.
Mr Green said the government was working with the mining industry to progress new projects and was confident that more mines would proceed.
Liberal leader Will Hodgman said that despite the Labor-Green government's positive spin, his party could only guarantee the industry's future.