LEON COMPTON: Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King. Minister, good morning again.

MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Good morning again, Leon. Great to be back.

LEON COMPTON: You followed up with Sibanye-Stillwater since we spoke, the owners of the Mount Lyell mine. What do you know?

MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Yeah. Well, we had a really positive meeting with Sibanye-Stillwater after I spoke with you and your listeners earlier this morning. And I can tell you that the feasibility study that they're doing into the reopening of the mine is completed. There will be a board decision on this in this year, and I'm hoping that’s sooner rather than later, as I imagine the good people of Tasmania and Burnie and everywhere around would agree. The thing about this mine and what is very clear from speaking to Sibanye-Stillwater, is there is a lot in its favour on the reopening: the underground is now in very good shape, a lot of work has been carried out; very, very positive copper and gold prices, a great market, and it's an excellent deposit. And more is known about this deposit now than was known, what, about eight or nine years ago when it went into its shutdown period, so as well as an excellent and outstanding relationship with the West Coast Council. So, the decision is yet to be made by Sibanye-Stillwater, but gee, it's really positive from my perspective. They've had a great engagement with the State Government as well. And my hats off to Felix Ellis and the State Government for supporting them as best they can. So, we'll have to wait and see. But I think ..

LEON COMPTON: I mean, this year, obviously it's only February. When we say, “this year,” is that at a March board meeting? Is it a November board meeting? What do you know about what part of this year?

MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Yeah. I'm sorry to say I don't know for definite, and I did express my wish to Sibanye-Stillwater that we resolve this as soon as possible. But  they've got commercial decisions to be made. But certainly, the local office of Sibanye-Stillwater are doing an awful lot of work, putting their best foot forward so that the Mount Lyell mine has the potential to reopen. And so, you know, thank them for their efforts as well. And there's always a competition for capital in the opening of mines.

LEON COMPTON: So, could you play a role in that, Minister? I mean, I'm imagining, given it's now 11, 12 years since it went into care and maintenance. Like, what is the infrastructure like to get copper from out of the ground and off to port? Are you being asked to help with that infrastructure?

MINISTER MADELEINE KING: No, not at this stage. But what I will do, I'm back in Canberra for the next – sitting weeks are coming up next week, so I'll make sure I follow up my department on how we can assist if we need to assist. But at the moment, Sibanye-Stillwater have been doing their own investments into improving the mine, and as well they should. You know, it was, as you said, it had been dangerous. People have died, and that is entirely unacceptable in a mining context. People deserve to come home after their shift or their swing. So, they have worked at that. They've got plans for the site, but they do have to make sure they get that board approval. And I'll be getting my department and myself and my office to put our shoulder to the wheel to make sure we can do whatever we can to make sure that happens.

LEON COMPTON: Appreciate you talking with us this morning. Thanks for the update.

MINISTER MADELEINE KING: Oh, thanks for having me back on, Leon. I appreciate that, too.

LEON COMPTON: Madeleine King, Federal Resources Minister.