The Queensland Government has awarded EQ Resources (EQR) the tender for resource exploration activities throughout a 480 square km area, including the Wolfram Camp and Bamford Hill mine.
According to the State Government, the Wolfram Camp mine is named for wolframite, an important primary ore of tungsten that miners have extracted from the site since the 19th century.
“EQ Resources has a proven track record in revitalising former mines, having established significant mine waste reprocessing operations and recently announcing starting open cut mining at its nearby Mt Carbine tungsten project, creating up to 135 good jobs,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.
Tungsten, a critical mineral, is used in solar technology, wind turbine blades, drill bits, and lighting, and global demand is growing as nations strive for a net zero emission future.
The State Government noted that re-commercialising former mines is an essential component of the new Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy and the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan.
“This project is a pilot that could potentially see more of our former mine sites around the state transformed from a liability to an asset — once more generating good jobs and royalties for the people of Queensland,” Minister Stewart stated.
“Queensland has many of the critical minerals needed to make the renewable energy technologies the world needs for a net zero emissions future. That’s why we have now also released the Queensland Critical Mineral Strategy, which will oversee $245 million of investment into growing this sector in Queensland,” the Minister added.
According to EQR CEO Kevin MacNeill, the company is committed to working with communities around Wolfram Camp mine to foster shared prosperity and opportunities, including new job avenues, contributing to the local economy, and promoting responsible environmental stewardship aligned with EQR’s core values.
“The company’s success at Mt Carbine is a testament to its ability to transform historical mining sites into thriving operations with a positive impact on the environment and surrounding communities and we envision a similar transformation for Wolfram Camp,” MacNeill said.
“Our team of experienced professionals will apply modern exploration techniques and state-of-the-art technologies to maximise the site’s potential while minimising its environmental footprint in order to unlock Wolfram Camp’s potential as a critical mineral producer,” he added.
