Resources Minister Scott Stewart is set to embark on a trade mission to the United Kingdom, focusing on generating jobs by developing Queensland’s critical minerals.
Minister Stewart, together with Queensland’s Chief Geologist Tony Knight and Director General Mark Cridland, will be in Europe next week to market prospects in critical minerals to global investors.
Minister Stewart said Queensland has some of the best critical mineral deposits in the world.
“We want investors across the globe to know the huge opportunities in our Queensland resources sector, particularly in the North West Minerals Province, which will supply the critical minerals the world needs to decarbonise,” Minister Stewart stated.
The Minister added that the Queensland Government intends for North Queensland to become the home of a whole new industry, initially mining, processing, and manufacturing vanadium, and later other critical minerals.
“Critical minerals are a key part of both our Queensland Resources Industry Development and the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which will help create good jobs in our regional communities,” the Minister said.
The trade delegation will attend the Mines and Money conference in the United Kingdom, which will include over 150 mining companies and 2000 industry professionals from around the world.
They will also attend the Critical Minerals Association Annual Conference while they are there as well.
The group will engage with companies interested in investing in crucial mineral projects throughout the world, including a visit to a commercial electric car manufacturing plant in Birmingham.
Minister Stewart described the trade trip as an ideal opportunity to promote Queensland’s resources on a worldwide scale ahead of the World Mining Congress, which will be held in Brisbane for the first time next year.
“This trade delegation is the perfect opportunity in the lead-up to the next year’s World Mining Congress to attract global investors into Queensland,” Minister Stewart said.
According to the Minister, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for global representatives from the world’s greatest resource economies to gather, debate current concerns, and share the most recent research, technology, and best practices.
Importantly, the Minister added that it would be the first time an Australian city has had the chance to host the Congress in its 65-year history.
“With the Palaszczuk Government as the host state partner of World Mining Congress 2023, this is our opportunity to show the rest of the world that Queensland is the place to be when it comes to our exceptional mining services, infrastructure, safety and Environmental, Social and Governance credentials,” Minister Stewart said.
