Construction of the Tanami Gas Pipeline is complete, and Northern Territory Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby, has granted pipeline owner AGI Tanami conditional consent to commission and operate the infrastructure. Consent to commission means AGI Tanami can now test the pipeline by introducing gas at the pressure under which it will operate. Once testing is successfully completed and independently verified, the pipeline will be able to go into full operational mode.

The Tanami Gas Pipeline will provide gas to Newmont’s Granites gold mine located approximately 550 km north-west of Alice Springs in the Tanami Desert. Historically the mining operations have had to rely on diesel to operate, which meant a pause in production if roads became impassable and diesel could not get through.

Kirby stated: “The Territory Labor Government supports the delivery of job-creating infrastructure, so I am pleased to approve the next stage of works for the Tanami Gas Pipeline. Newmont’s Territory mining operations are some of the most successful gold operations in Australia. This pipeline will provide year-round, cleaner power – supporting existing jobs and creating the potential for more jobs. The Territory Labor Government will continue to focus on attracting private sector investment across the Territory, and on getting job-creating projects out of the ground as quickly as possible.”