The proposed vanadium project in North West Queensland is getting closer to becoming a reality, with the finalisation of the terms of reference for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium project is proposed for a site located 45km north-west of Richmond, in the North West Minerals Province.
Project proponent, Richmond Vanadium Technology (RVT) expects the project would create up to 100 construction jobs and 200 ongoing operational jobs, over 25 years.
RVT estimates extraction of up to 4.2 million tonnes annually of vanadium ore, processed on site to produce 790,000 tonnes annually of vanadium concentrate.
The Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium project was declared a coordinated project in May 2022.
RVT will now prepare a draft EIS responding to the terms of reference, which requires rigorous assessment of social, economic and environmental impacts.
Queensland Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, said Queensland’s North West Minerals Province is one of the world’s richest mineral producing areas and will support the state’s production of critical minerals for the global renewable energy sector.
“The Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium project is one of the exciting proposals for the development of the North West Minerals Province and supports the Palaszczuk Government’s landmark Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and supports the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy,” Mr Miles said.
Queensland Resources Minister, Scott Stewart, said, “Vanadium is in worldwide demand for manufacturing products such as redox flow batteries that can be built on a large scale to power homes and businesses over longer periods.
“There are huge opportunities to grow production of critical minerals in the North West Minerals Province and our investment in Copperstring 2032 and the Queensland Resources Common User Facility will support companies like Richmond Vanadium Technology.”
The Coordinator-General will call for public submissions on the draft EIS, which will include mandatory social impact assessment as per the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017, to ensure local employment and business opportunities for the region.
Support for the development of a Queensland vanadium industry includes the Queensland Government’s investment of $75 million to build a vanadium and critical minerals demonstration facility at the Townsville State Development Area.
The Queensland Government has also provided funding to the development of Australia’s first commercial-scale vanadium flow battery electrolyte manufacturing facility, also to be built in Townsville by Vecco Group.
