Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for a managing contractor to deliver an Australian-first processing facility for critical minerals like vanadium.
The state-owned Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF) will be a purpose-built testing and demonstration facility initially focussed on vanadium processing with capacity to expand over time to encompass processing other critical minerals like cobalt and rare earth elements.
Vanadium is in demand around the world for its many uses, including to create a reliable and safe renewable energy storage solution which can be used in large-scale batteries.
QRCUF will be located at Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville, Queensland and is expected to commence operations in 2025.
Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, said, “Delivery of the Queensland Resources Common User Facility reinforces our government’s ongoing commitment to the critical minerals industry in North Queensland.
“Once operational the facility will enable North Queensland to leverage their abundant critical minerals and rare earth elements to secure local supply and meet the growing global demand.
“There is already interest from companies in using the facility, and opportunities for jobs, new manufacturing and processing supply chains and investment to North Queensland is expected to follow.
“Vanadium is used in redox flow batteries, which have a much greater capacity to be scaled up than other battery technology.”
The Managing Contractor of the project will be responsible for engaging the consultants, suppliers and trade contractors necessary to develop and construct the QRCUF and may choose to undertake some of the works directly.
Delivery of the QRCUF in Queensland will accelerate the development of commercial mining projects, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities, and support supply chain and supporting industry development.
There is currently no comparable pilot or demonstration-scale facility in Australia or the Asia Pacific.
Queensland Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart, said, “Queensland, and in particular the North West Minerals Province, has an abundance of critical minerals like vanadium that the world is demanding as it decarbonises.
“The Queensland Resources Common User Facility as well as the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in Copperstring 2032 will help unlock these deposits and the next resources boom for the state.
“This facility will help resources companies prove their product and develop new opportunities for vanadium mining in Queensland, which will support good jobs in regional Queensland.”
The EOI is now open and will close on 15 May 2023. Following the EOI, the Queensland Government will select a shortlist of respondents to go to a Request for Proposal later in mid-2023.
