Critical week to drive Queensland’s critical minerals potential globally and locally

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane is in Washington DC as part of a delegation led by Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan’s Australian critical minerals delegation to further develop the US-Australia trading partnership on critical minerals, while QRC Director Andrew Barger will be attending the New Economy Minerals Summit with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and senior Ministers in Mount Isa.

“Queensland will be at the forefront of the development of critical minerals for Australia and the world, whether for defence industries, manufacturing, trade and regional development,” Macfarlane said.

“These rich reserves will help support the global expansion of renewable energy and battery storage technology and the uptake of electric vehicles.”

Macfarlane said Queensland’s metal industries, including bauxite and copper, was already enjoying significant growth.

“3 years ago, the metals industry supported 47 252 full-time jobs and injected AUS$7.8 billion into the Queensland economy. Last financial year, there were almost 61 400 jobs and an AUS$11.7 billion boost to Queensland’s economy. That’s a 30% increase in jobs and a 50% increase in economic benefit.”

Macfarlane said QRC and the Queensland Exploration Council had been working with the Federal and Queensland Governments, and we welcome their recent announcements to increase investment in the sector, including the commitment to upgrade the Townsville to Mount Isa rail line and an AUS$80 million 4 year subsidy for commercial freight users on the Mount Isa line.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/19112019/critical-week-to-drive-queenslands-critical-minerals-potential-globally-and-locally/