QLD Govt prescribes major projects with potential to create 5500 jobs

The Queensland Government is supporting the development of two major projects in the Townsville-Mount Isa Corridor that could create thousands of jobs. 

The two major projects have been declared as prescribed projects by Minister Grace Grace and the Queensland Coordinator-General can now begin working with local governments and regulators to help progress the projects towards delivery. 

“The Queensland Government continues to create new opportunities to put Queensland on the world stage as a renewable energy superpower. 

“With our critical mineral resources and growing list of projects we are ready to be the home to renewables-linked mining, manufacturing and exporting,” Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said. 

“Both these projects mean highly skilled jobs for people in Townsville. 

“North Queensland and Townsville is at the precipice of being a critical minerals, renewable and manufacturing powerhouse and this announcement is a step toward that,” Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said. 

“As a government we’re backing both these projects, the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct and CopperString because we know this means more jobs for Townsville and the North,” Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said. 

The first project is a $7.8 billion investment that will deliver one of Australia’s first integrated mine-to manufacturing polysilicon supply chain. 

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners’ Project Green Poly is proposed to be built at the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct in Townsville and it is expected to create up to 4,400 jobs in and around Townsville during its construction and over its expected 30-year life or more. 

“Townsville has the potential to be a world-leading location to produce polysilicon given its proximity to high quality quartz resources, its great access to the Port of Townsville and the fact that the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Park, where our manufacturing is proposed, can be powered by 100% renewable energy,” Quinbrook Investment Partners Managing Director, Regional Leader for Australia Brian Restall said. 

“Project Green Poly will create the Queensland-based polysilicon supply chain the world needs to expand solar and battery energy generation. 

“It will further boost the Townsville region as a renewable energy mining, processing and manufacturing hub,” Minister Grace said. 

The second project, the Eva Copper Mine Project near Mount Isa and Cloncurry, is set to become the State’s largest new metal mine with a greenfield iron-oxide copper-gold resource. Harmony Gold Mining Company’s proposed mine will add a new stream of copper mining and smelting that will help boost local supply for solar, wind and battery energy manufacturing. 

The Eva Copper Mine is expected to have a mine life of up to 15 years and will generate about 1,250 jobs during its construction and operations, providing a boost to local copper mining and smelting jobs. 

“The Eva Copper project near Mount Isa, Queensland is transformational for Harmony as we transition into a global gold-copper producer. As one of the world’s largest gold producers, sustainability is embedded in our operating practices. 

“Our people and our most important asset and this support from the Queensland Government will enable Harmony to continue creating long-term value for all its stakeholders, wherever we operate,” Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited CEO Peter Steenkamp said. 

“There is a bright future ahead for the North West Minerals Province and the broader Mount Isa region because of projects like this. 

“Harmony Gold’s Eva copper project will support jobs during construction as well as operationally and will add another source to the smelter in Mount Isa,” Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart 

“Harmony Gold Mining Company already has key mining approvals for the project and my prescribed project declaration means the Office of the Coordinator-General can now provide additional assistance to coordinate remaining approvals. 

“Priorities will include establishing a renewable energy source that can help run mining operations until the project connects to CopperString 2032,” Minister Grace said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Renewables Now; PV Magazine Australia; NS Energy; ICN Gateway; Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct