New economy minerals will see a boost in Queensland, thanks to a $5.7 million investment to expand Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE).
The significant investment, which was part of Queensland’s 2022-23 State Budget and a goal for the state’s draft 30-year resources plan, will create a future industries development hub at the centre.
The RCOC will further support new job growth in the economy minerals sector and provide economic opportunities for Queensland.
New economy minerals are vital to many emerging and renewable energy technologies, including electric vehicles and long-life batteries, and for products in key sectors like medical, defence and scientific research.
Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, said the $5.7 million boost over three years is a major win for the state’s resources sector, regions, and the future regional jobs.
“Our government is a strong supporter of the RCOE, having put in more than half the $7 million investment that made this centre a reality,” Mr Dick said.
“The new funding will allow Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence to increase their work within the new economy minerals sector.
“It will ensure we have the skilled workforce and sharpest minds working in our mines.
“New economy minerals will be in demand for decades to come, and Queensland has world-class deposits, particularly in our north.
“A strong new economy minerals sector, supported by Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence, will generate more prosperity for our state.”
November 2021 saw the Queensland Government commit at least $10 million towards a common-user new economy mineral processing plant in Townsville, initially for vanadium miners.
A number of new vanadium projects are also currently proposed at Julia Creek in the state’s remote north-west.
Queensland Resources Minister, Scott Stewart, said new economy minerals presented significant opportunities for Queensland.
“We’re making investments like this now, to ensure a strong future for our resources sector,” Mr Stewart said.
“Whether that’s in infrastructure such as the vanadium processing plant or with this future industries development hub, these are down payments on high-skill, well-paid jobs, particularly in regional Queensland.
“Our government’s vision is to mine, process and manufacture these minerals here in Queensland, taking them all the way from pit to product.
“From copper and bauxite/alumina to silica, vanadium and cobalt, we want to maximise our minerals for the benefit of every Queenslander.”
Resources Centre of Excellence CEO, Steven Boxall, said it’s been an absolute pleasure working with the Queensland Government to deliver and activate the Resources Centre of Excellence Stage 1, which is focused on supporting the traditional resources sector.
“We are extremely excited at now being able to implement the RCOE Stage 2: Future Industries Hub, to capture, incubate and grow the industries of the future, putting both our region and Queensland in the box seat to drive low carbon innovation,” Mr Boxall said.
“The METS sector in Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday has the skills and experience to transition and support the emerging new economy minerals sector, which will help secure jobs for the future and our regional economy.”
Expansion of the resources centre is one of the new economy minerals proposals in the Queensland Government’s draft 30-year-plan for the resources industry.
The Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan is currently being finalised after public consultation.
Artist impression of the proposed expansion to Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence, courtesy of Queensland Government
