Krupp Plan May End
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Papuan Industry Hope
Sydney, June 21
Today’s announcement about the German Baron Krupp’s proposal for development of the North Queensland Blair Atholl coalfield could mean the end of the plan to refine Weipa (Queensland) alu mina in Papua, with either hydro electric power or oilfield gas (see May PIM, p. 13).
Krupp spent some time in N.
Queensland in May. He now is dis cussing with Queensland Govern ment and COMALCO (formed by Commonwealth Zinc Corporation and British Aluminium Ltd.) a suggestion that Knapps; • Take over Blair Atholl coal field (on which COMALCO has a
five-years option);
• Extract petrol from the coal; • Use the residue (charcoal) for generating massive electric power, which would be supplied to Mount Isa (zinc, lead, etc.) and to the aluminium interests for refining the alumina derived from Weipa.
The plan, which depends for de velopment upon the goodwill of the Australian Governments and the British metal corporations, would represent about £2OO millions ex penditure.