Far North Queensland’s critical minerals industry is set to receive a boost, with the State Government inviting tenders for resource exploration activities at an abandoned mining area.
Queensland Resources Minister, Scott Stewart, said tenders have been called for resource exploration activities across a 480km2, which includes the former Wolfram Camp mine.
“Queensland’s long history of resources activity has left a legacy of abandoned mines across the state but, thanks to advancing technology and changing market demands, some of these mines have the potential to once again become commercial operations,” Mr Stewart said.
“After consulting with industry groups, miners, explorers and local representatives last year, it was clear there was great interest in restarting resource activities at the abandoned Wolfram Camp mine.
“This project is a pilot that could potentially see more of our abandoned mine sites around the state transformed from a liability to an asset – once more generating good jobs and royalties for all Queenslanders.
“Those royalties can also help offset the cost of managing existing, abandoned mines, while the government has also acted to prevent future issues with tighter requirements for progressive mine rehabilitation.”
Situated 90km west of Cairns, Wolfram Camp is named for wolframite – an important primary ore of tungsten which miners have been extracting from the site since the 19th century.
The critical mineral has numerous uses including in solar technology, wind turbine blades, drill bits and filaments for lighting.
The mine was abandoned in late 2018 and has since been a part of the Queensland Government’s Abandoned Mine Lands Program.
Mr Stewart said the re-commercialisation of Wolfram Camp was one of 43 actions in the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan.
“Our 30-year plan for the resources industry contains a suite of measures to find, mine, process and manufacture critical minerals,” Mr Stewart said.
“Together, the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will help create good jobs in our regional communities.”
More information on the re-commercialisation of abandoned mines can be found here.
