Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy at the World Mining Congress in Brisbane.
According to the Queensland Government, the new Strategy positions the State as a global leader in delivering critical minerals for the world to transition to a net zero emissions future.
Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland has some of the world’s richest mineral-producing areas, with North Queensland alone valued at $500 billion.
“This is why our government is investing $5 billion to build CopperString 2032, to connect the North West Minerals Province with the largest renewable energy zone on the east coast of Australia to mine and process critical minerals with renewable energy,” Premier Palaszczuk stated.
“The Queensland Critical Mineral Strategy is about growing this industry by not just mining the raw materials but also being able to process it and manufacturing renewables right here in Queensland,” the Premier added.
The Strategy will manage a $245 million investment in expanding Queensland’s critical mineral industry, and it will:
- Reduce the rent for new and current mineral exploration licences to zero over the next five years, totalling $55 million.
- Establishing critical mineral zones, first at Julia Creek/Richmond and then around Mount Isa, with $75 million to promote investment and a renewed focus on critical minerals projects.
- Establish Critical Minerals Queensland as a one-stop shop to oversee the sector’s growth and to help promote and attract foreign investment.
- Invest $5 million to target mining waste and tailings for critical minerals, and another $8 million in scientific research, including circular economy efforts.
- Provide $1 million to support research and ESG excellence.
- Provide the $100 million Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund to stimulate new project investments.
“The Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy is about acting now to position Queensland as a global leader in this new industrial revolution,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.
