Delivery of new $2.3bn Eva Copper Mine to create over 1000 QLD jobs

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited has completed the updated Feasibility Study and reached Final Investment Decision for the Eva Copper Project, and the Queensland Government welcomes this announcement as another vote of confidence in the State’s resources sector. 

The $2.3 billion Eva Copper Mine is located about 75 kilometres north of Cloncurry and 95 kilometres northeast of Mount Isa. 

“Queensland’s copper industry is one of the pillars of our economy, supporting generations of Queenslanders, from the first discoveries at Mount Isa in the 1920s to today’s world-class operations. 

“Eva Copper Mine locks in the next chapter, with transformational investment by Harmony that delivers jobs for locals and certainty for Queensland mining families,” Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said. 

“Eva Copper Mine represents an exciting new era in Harmony’s 75-year history of responsible mining. We are proud to invest in Queensland’s world-class North West minerals province and we look forward to working with all our stakeholders as we move into project execution,” Harmony Chief Executive Officer Beyers Nel said. 

The mine will become the State’s largest copper mine and is set to be a significant driver of economic growth for the North West region as well as the Port of Townsville as they transition from the closure of Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Mine. 

Eva Copper Mine is projected to produce about 60,000 tonnes of copper annually over its estimated 15-year mine life. 

The mine will also create 1,450 jobs including 1,000 jobs during construction and 450 operational jobs once it is up and running. 

“Today’s announcement is a show of confidence in Queensland’s critical minerals sector and our construction of Copperstring from Townsville to Mount Isa, which has also been supported by the $200 million North West Energy Fund recently announced in our Energy Roadmap. 

“Eva Copper Mine will add $17 billion to Queensland’s Gross State Product over its anticipated 15-year mine life securing jobs, industry and ensuring our regional and remote communities thrive. 

“Harmony’s commitment to invest in the Eva Copper Mine is not only a win for the North West Queensland community but Queensland’s economy,” Treasurer David Janetzki said. 

This project will now transition to the execution phase, with contractors mobilising on site in early 2027 to begin construction. First production at the Eva Copper Mine is anticipated in the second half of 2028, pending approvals. 

This major investment responds to the State Government’s ‘open for business’ approach after a decade of decline under the previous Labor Government. 

“Queensland is open for business and by rebuilding investor confidence we’re delivering new investments to strengthen our regional communities and create local jobs. 

“We’re driving growth in our resources sector that underpins Queensland’s long-term prosperity and the new Eva Copper Mine in Cloncurry Shire and proximate to Mount Isa will deliver exactly that. 

“We’re delivering a fresh start for the State’s resources industry that Queenslanders voted for, while delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy,” Premier David Crisafulli said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (1, 2); Australian Mining