Queensland Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart, has announced that he will be leading a week-long trade mission to the US, which will focus on securing investment in Queensland’s critical minerals industry.
The foundations for this mission were laid in June 2023 at the World Mining Congress where Mr Stewart, alongside Queensland Government officers, met with some of the world’s most influential governments and government investment banks.
Meetings continued in Sydney in November at IMARC – Australia’s largest mining event – marking the official start of engagements with the US Government.
The Queensland delegation will be accompanied by North America Trade Commissioner, Viki Forrest, and will meet with senior government officials and specialist resource industry investment firms in Washington, DC, and New York City.
Strengthening international connections aligns with important objectives under the $245 million Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy (QCMS) that is set to maximise economic opportunities and position Queensland as a global leader.
Ahead of the trade mission, Mr Stewart gave a behind the scenes tour of the Critical Minerals Queensland (CMQ) office in Townsville.
CMQ, a cornerstone of the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy, will actively contribute to the development, growth, and success of Queensland’s critical minerals. It will be a dedicated office to identify opportunities in the industry and foster discussions with proponents, investors, community members, and researchers.
Mr Stewart said that as demand continues to surge for the critical minerals needed to build wind turbines, solar panels and storage batteries, Queensland will be at the forefront of the next global resources boom.
“This is why I am heading to the United States next week, to negotiate future partnerships and secure Queensland’s legacy in this new industrial revolution,” Mr Stewart said.
“This is about more than promotion, it’s about securing the next generation of jobs for Queensland, diversifying and decarbonising the global economy, and securing the state’s future economic prosperity.
Mr Stewart said that the Critical Minerals Queensland office will play a key role in delivering the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy and that it’s exciting to see the office becoming a reality.
“We’re starting to fill the roles needed to staff the CMQ office, which means more good jobs for Townsville.
“We want Queensland to be a global leader, supplier and manufacturer of critical minerals, and this trade mission to the US, along with the establishment of CMQ, and the $5 billion CopperString 2032 project will help get us there.
“In the North West Minerals Province alone there is potentially $500 billion of critical mineral deposits which CopperString will help unlock.”
