India eyes Goldfields uranium
India’s top diplomatic representative in Australia has spruiked the importance of the gold and uranium sectors while on a visit to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Visiting the city yesterday, High Commissioner Biren Nanda was given an update on the Goldfields mining industry from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
“We got a briefing on the mining industry here and how the whole industry has been impacted by the recent changes in the global environment,” he told the Kalgoorlie Miner.
Mr Nanda said gold and uranium were at the top of the agenda in terms of Goldfields minerals likely to attract Indian interest.
However, despite India being a major importer of Australian gold, Mr Nanda said he considered it unlikely India would show the same level of investment in the Goldfields as China.
Mr Nanda said this was mainly due to a lack of gold-specific knowledge and expertise in India.
“The problem is that there are no major new gold mines in India,” he said.
“The reason we are coming here in coal is that we are users of these minerals or have experience in the mining of these minerals.
“But there’s no pool of companies who are interested in gold right now.”
On the subject of uranium, Mr Nanda was more optimistic after the Australian Government agreed last year to allow companies to export the material to India.
“I imagine within the year we will be importing uranium from Australia,” he said.
“And it’s just possible that there will be some companies who might want to invest in uranium mines.
“This will be an aspect of the relationship that will be developed in the coming years.”
With uranium deposits in the Goldfields, Northern Territory and South Australia, Mr Nanda said nuclear power would be a growing area for delivering electricity to his people.
The High Commissioner of India also visited the West Australian Museum — Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Nimbus Silver Mine and the Super Pit lookout during yesterday’s visit.
Mr Nanda said he was particularly impressed by the comprehensive information on Goldfields history provided by the museum.
