Mining summit sparks interest

MAYORS from regional centres are meeting with mining companies on the Gold Coast today to discuss how the wealth of the resource industry can be spread to all Queenslanders.

Discussions will focus on establishing a regional centre for the flying in and flying out of mining company workers.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh organised the summit because councils were competing for business.

Gold Coast City Council had sought expressions of interest from mining companies in a plan to for a dedicated terminal at the Gold Coast Airport.

It received interest from 23 mining companies.

Premier Bligh said senior mining executives from Anglo-American, Arrow, Bechtel, BMA, McArthur Coal, QGC Pty Ltd, Rio Tinto, Santos, Origin, Thiess, Vale Australia and Xstrata Coal would attend the event.