MINING in the local area is a real possibility to boost the local economy according to at least one local councillor.

Cr Mick Lewis has suggested mining the high quality coking coal and bauxite deposits that sit beneath the shire.

"I certainly think that the qualities of coal are well documented," Cr Lewis said yesterday.

"There's coal around Ashford 18 feet below the surface and it's coking coal, three times more valuable, and the Greens don't seem to be as worried about it as the other sort.

"The reserves of coal there are well established, around Nullamanna and Cherry Tree Hill, Whitehaven Mining did exploratory work out there 18 months to two years ago," Cr Lewis said.

Mining was raised at last month's council meeting, when councillors discussed their vision for Inverell, and put forward ideas on what this town could possibly use to its own 'strategic advantage'.

The views expressed included the attracting tourist to dams, value adding for wheat, support for local events, a planned inland railway line and agriculture.

Australian Bauxite Limited (ABL) has announced it has found high-grade bauxite near Guyra.

After the Guyra find chief executive officer of ABL, Ian Levy, said that the next step is to find out how much of the mineral exists in the area.

Mr Levy said the company would investigate other parts of the district around Guyra, Glen Innes, Inverell area to see if there was a significant and large quantity.

"Bauxite is a very low value mineral commodity so transport cost is everything," he said.

The cost of transport is currently keeping mining companies out of Inverell, but Cr Lewis envisages the planned inland railway could well provide the answer.

"That rail link is planned to pass through Yetman and a spur line into Ashford would be possible," said Cr Lewis.

© 2011 Inverell Times

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