Butchulla to cash in on gas mining

THE Butchulla peoples will cash in on the succeess of any gas mining ventures in the Maryborough basin thanks to a lucrative royalties agreement with mining interests.

Blu Energy CEO John Phillips has revealed that the royalties pledge, which could be worth millions if gas deposits are tapped and render up commercial quantites of gas, was central to resolving native title issues that stood in the way of exploration approval.

With the permit to drill in a 624sq km area now secure, the sinking of exploratory wells to determine the wealth of coal seam gas could begin as early as mid year.