Esmeralda Graphite Project in QLD given Coordinated Project status

Graphinex’s Esmeralda Graphite Project in North-West Queensland has been given the Coordinated Project status, fast-tracking it towards development. 

The project will deliver a greenfield graphite mine at Croydon alongside a processing plant in Townsville. The Esmeralda Project has the potential to create 233 jobs – including 100 jobs during construction and 133 jobs at peak operations – in the region and produce up to 3.5 tonnes of graphite annually once operational. 

Not only will this project deliver much-needed jobs in North Queensland, but it will also help build the State’s critical minerals capabilities in both graphite mining and battery anode manufacturing. 

The Esmeralda Graphite Project is estimated to have a 50-year life, producing about 25 million tonnes of graphite concentrate. 

“This declaration demonstrates how the Crisafulli Government is partnering with the private sector to supercharge new job creating projects right across the State. 

“De-risking the delivery of projects like this through whole-of-government approval coordination is supporting more Queensland investment and creating more well-paying Queensland resources jobs. 

“Under the Crisafulli Government Queensland is well and truly open for business,” Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said. 

“This declaration is a commitment to thoroughly evaluate the project’s environmental, social, and economic impacts. 

“Our role is to ensure that this project meets the highest standards of environmental stewardship, community engagement, and economic benefit as it progresses through the necessary approvals,” Queensland’s Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan said. 

The Coordinated Project status will enable the Coordinator-General to facilitate environmental approvals from the Queensland and Australian Governments and involve stakeholder and community consultation processes. 

Subject to approvals, construction is expected to commence in 2027, with the Esmeralda Graphite Project anticipated to begin operations 18 months after. 

This project is backed by capital secured through a trade mission to North America that was led by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last earlier this year. Meanwhile, the State Government is working to secure critical international investment and restore Queensland’s international reputation that was badly damaged by Labor’s unpredictable anti-mining policies. 

Key features of the project include: 

• Open cut graphite mine and processing facilities 

• Solar array and energy storage system with back-up diesel generation 

• Water management infrastructure 

• Mine infrastructure area, mine and product stockpiles and loading areas 

• Access road and internal tracks 

• Accommodation facilities, sewage and waste management infrastructure 

“This is an exciting milestone that positions Queensland as a leader in graphite mining and processing. 

“With a reported 25 million tonnes of graphite in this region – the third-largest deposit in the world – this project will help build Queensland’s critical minerals capability and strengthen domestic supply chains. 

“Investors are looking at jurisdictions that offer certainty, clarity and low sovereign risk, but unfortunately, the former Labor Government trashed Queensland’s reputation with unpredictable anti-mining policies that sent investor confidence off a cliff. 

“Those investors now see Queensland under the Crisafulli Government ticking every box, delivering stability and investment-friendly policies that create jobs across our state,” Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said. 

“This Coordinated Project declaration is a major milestone for Graphinex. It streamlines approvals, cuts our development timeline by at least 12 months, and confirms the government’s recognition of the project’s strategic importance to the state. 

“The international investor introductions have directly resulted in significant investment into Graphinex thanks to Minister Last’s efforts. 

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Queensland Government for their unwavering support and vision in driving regional advanced manufacturing and critical minerals development. 

“Their leadership and investment in this sector have been instrumental in making this Hub a reality, supporting local jobs, strengthening supply chains, and positioning Queensland as a global leader in sustainable battery materials,” Graphinex Managing Director Art Malone said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – State Development, Infrastructure and Planning; Australian Mining