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Western Australia (WA) Premier Colin Barnett has encouraged Chinese steel-making giant Sinosteel Corporation to invest more in the state's mining companies, Australian Associated Press reported on Thursday.
Barnett is in China to spur on the Asian superpower to invest in a new iron ore export port at Oakajee in the state's midwest region, and met Sinosteel president Huang Tianwen on Wednesday.
Sinosteel indicated in September last year that it was in talks to invest in Australian firms including nickel and manganese miners.
"I made it known that the WA state government would be supportive of Sinosteel increasing its share in other WA mining companies," Barnett said in a statement.
Sinosteel could increase its stake in iron ore miner Murchison Metals Ltd, which is developing the Oakajee port and associated rail through its joint venture company with Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation, Oakajee Port and Rail (OPR).
Barnett said the joint venture provided "an unprecedented opportunity for a truly Western Australian-Chinese-Japanese investment collaboration".
"I am keen for Chinese companies to be involved in the construction and development of both the port and railway infrastructure," he added.
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