The TECH Project has received approval for both an Environmental Authority Protection Act 1994 and a development permit under the Planning Act 2016, Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM) announced.
Following an evaluation of QPM’s Material Change of Use Development Application (MCU DA), the Development Permit for the TECH Project was approved. Townsville City Council (TCC) served as the MCU DA’s Assessment Manager, with State referral triggers administered by the State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA), which included the Department of Environment and Science (DES) on EA matters and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) on State-controlled road matters.
The Development Permit and EA permit QPM to operate Stage 1 of the TECH Project, which would theoretically process 1.6 million wet metric tonnes of ore per year to generate roughly 16,000t of nickel metal and 1,750t of cobalt metal, both in sulphate form, as well as other essential byproducts. The conditions linked with the Development Permit and EA are in accordance with what would be expected for a project of this type and do not impose any onerous development or operational issues, which is particularly encouraging for QPM.
The EA for QPM is a significant achievement, according to the company. Together with the Australian Government‘s clearance in November, QPM now has all primary approvals (Tier 1 approvals) needed to begin construction on the TECH Project. QPM received approvals assistance from EMM Consulting and the Queensland Office of the Coordinator General.
TCC will provide crucial supporting infrastructure, such as roads and water supplies, as part of the development of Lansdown as a contemporary eco-industrial area. Grants from state and federal governments are being used to fund the construction of this infrastructure.
QPM is pleased to report that TCC has begun work on an access road connecting the existing Jones Rd to the northern perimeter of QPM’s Lansdown site. The access road is projected to be completed by the end of Q1 2023, depending on weather conditions.
Completing this access road will allow QPM to begin preliminary site establishment works, which are currently being planned.
“I’m delighted that all key permits have now been received for the TECH Project, which is a major milestone for QPM. It is also exciting to see activity happening at Lansdown and we thank the Townsville City Council for the work it has put in to making this eco-industrial precinct a reality. We also acknowledge the support and assistance of the Queensland government through the Office of the Coordinator General,” QPM Managing Director Dr Stephen Grocott said.
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