More North QLD jobs to be supported through $300m gold mine expansion

More North Queensland jobs will soon be up for grabs as the Ravenswood Gold expansion project gets underway. In addition, approximately $50 million is expected to be spent on local goods and services for the delivery of this project. 

“The Ravenswood Gold project is a gold standard of the positive economic contribution a mine can bring to the regions. 

“North Queensland businesses such as Thomas Steel are seeing the benefits of this supply chain success story as the mine continues to secure a plethora of services from across the north including steel fabrication, concreting, equipment hire and servicing, engineering, surveying, environmental support, tradespeople and even a local coffee roaster,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said. 

About two years ago, the Queensland Government approved new mining leases for the Ravenswood Gold Mine, which paved the way for the $300 million expansion project. 

According to Ravenswood Gold General Manager of Operations Dave Mackay, the company is looking forward to supporting local businesses in North Queensland. 

“Our local workforce of over 250 people and collaboration with almost 370 businesses in the region helps strengthen the project and improve resilience in these uncertain COVID-19 times. 

“North Queensland has a lot to offer in terms of technical skills, goods and services to support the region’s resource industry and in turn, the benefits of the mine’s expansion will pay back into the region and the State,” Mr Mackay said. 

Thomas Steel’s Domenic Corradini said that their operation has already secured a contract worth over $10 million to fabricate a section of the leeching facilities at the mine’s processing plant. 

“This contract is the perfect test of our expanded, new Bohle operation and it further cements our credentials as a leading structural steel fabricator in North Queensland. 

“We’ve been able to further secure the employment of our 150-plus workforce and we’ve increased our Townsville workforce by 20 per cent to help us meet demand,” Mr Corradini said. 

The mine expansion project is expected to create up to 100 jobs during construction as well as another 60 permanent positions 

The Ravenswood Gold Mine is located approximately 130 kilometres south of Townsville and 90 kilometres east of Charters Towers. 

Minister Stewart added that the region’s “robust supply chain” will continue to benefit from the increasing number of mining projects in North Queensland. 

“It is this style of collaboration, innovation and hard work demonstrated by the North Queensland business community which will help lead Queensland’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Stewart said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statement; North Queensland Register; Ravenswood Gold