Newmont Mining Corp. has awarded Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) a $170-million (Aus.) contract to build a new gas pipeline in the Northern Territory.
The deal is for AGIG to build, own, and operate the proposed 440-km line that will transport natural gas to Newmont’s Granites and Dead Bullock Soak open cut gold mine sites in the Tanami desert region about 540 km northwest of Alice Springs.
To be called the Tanami Gas Pipeline, the line will tap into the existing Alice Springs to Darwin Amadeus Gas Pipeline—the connection point to located about 180 km northwest of Alice.
The line will follow the alignment of the Tanami-Halls Creek that runs through a mix of pastoral land, Aboriginal freehold land and Crown land.
AGIG said it has ensured that all landholders and local communities have been well informed in the lead-up to help define the final route with consideration given to existing infrastructure, utilities, pastoral, mining, environmental and landform issues along with Aboriginal heritage and sites of significance. All parties will continue to be consulted throughout construction.
A separate, but related project will be to build two gas power stations at the Tanami facilities.
