EQ Resources is processing waste from the Far North Queensland mine to generate the critical mineral that is in high demand globally, while also creating good job opportunities for the community.
EQ Resources and its German-based partner CRONIMET are employing cutting-edge processing equipment to extract tungsten concentrate from waste dumps at the ancient Mt Carbine mine, thereby creating local jobs.
The transformation ongoing at Mt Carbine, 130 kilometres north of Cairns, mirrored one of the core themes of the Palaszczuk Government’s 30-year-plan for the resources industry, according to Resources Minister Scott Stewart.
“Changing technology and demand means some of our old mines could be given new life, creating jobs, which is what’s happening at Mount Carbine,” Minister Stewart said.
With CRONIMET, Minister Stewart stated that EQ Resources has the Mt. Carbine processing facility has been refurbished, commissioned, and expanded by EQ Resources in order to recover tungsten from the mine’s waste dump, which has essentially turned into a stockpile of low-grade tungsten.
“The mine is now providing more than 60 good, secure jobs for locals, and with the joint venture’s plan to re-start hard rock mining, the project could create more than 100 jobs,” Minister Stewart added.
Using cutting-edge ore-sorting technology, the project combines the ancient tungsten mine with modernised and upgraded processing facilities. Waste products from this procedure are now being used as aggregates and road base. Waste from the reprocessing is also sold for boat ramps and coastal protection projects near the shore.
“We were delighted to show the Resources Minister the progress we have made in breathing new life into Mt Carbine. We have great support from local service companies and are excited about the prospects for accelerating this critical mineral development in FNQ,” EQ Resources CEO Kevin McNeill said.
Tungsten, commonly referred to as wolfram, is valued for its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. It has a wide range of applications, including in solar technology, wind turbine blades, drill bits, and lighting filaments.
According to the Queensland Government, the United States, Japan, India, and Australia have all identified tungsten as an essential mineral, and the European Commission recognised its economic significance as being the highest of all raw minerals in the European industrial system in 2020.
