A PROPOSED Fingal Valley mining development is good news for the state, Opposition mining spokesman Adam Brooks.
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Mr Brooks said yesterday that the proposed $40 million redevelopment of the coal mine near Fingal as a major new export industry would strengthen calls for further mining investment in Tasmania.
He said that the Victorian-based Hardrock Mining Company's proposed development would create jobs and foster investment.
Mr Brooks said that Greens Leader Bob Brown had been an enthusiastic supporter of coal mining in the Fingal Valley, in 1981, and he hoped that the Greens would support this new development.
A spokesman for the Tasmanian Greens said yesterday that Green MPs had not had time to gather enough information about the project to offer a firm opinion.
``But we will be looking forward to more detail,'' the spokesman said.
Hardrock Mining plans to submit a development application to the Break O'Day Council and the relevant environmental authorities before Christmas to enable a potential start on the project in the first half of next year.
When fully operational in 2014, the export coal mine would generate 650 jobs in the North, managing director Craig Astill said this week.
He plans to move the coal by rail to Bell Bay to ship to Asian markets.
Mr Astill said that the finance was secured for the project and prospective customers had already been to Tasmania to look over the venture.