Support for mining development and operations
Critical minerals supporting infrastructure
Queensland's resources sector is supported by a vital and growing supply chain that links to global markets via road, rail and sea. We are investing in common user infrastructure, both extending and strengthening supply chains and local demand.
Learn more about this in the Queensland resources industry development plan.
Explore infrastructure for critical minerals through our interactive map.
Pit-to-product
Queensland's 'pit-to-product' approach includes providing efficient freight movement to export markets. The Queensland Government is investing in several freight routes including:
- Flinders Highway—a key road freight route, linking the North West to Townsville's processing and export facilities
- Mount Isa rail line system—1,000km of track from Stuart (near Townsville) to Mount Isa
- North West Minerals Province supply chain through to the Port of Townsville.
Energy
The CopperString 2032 project will deliver a 1,100km high-voltage electricity transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa that will connect Queensland's North West Minerals Province (NWMP) to the national electricity grid. Due to its isolation, the NWMP is not currently connected to the National Electricity Market. CopperString 2032 will provide energy certainty to the region's critical minerals sector, delivering reliable, affordable and renewable power.
Use the electricity generation map to learn more about Queensland's energy infrastructure.
In recent years there has also been substantial investment in large solar, wind and hydroelectricity projects, including the construction of a $200 million, 125 megawatt solar farm by Sun Metals to power their refinery operations outside of Townsville. This will cut energy costs for the growing local industries that process critical minerals and use them in manufacturing and is supported by Queensland's energy and jobs plan.
Water
Water preserves our environment, sustains our communities and is a critical input for the farming and mining industries. Water is a vital resources for all of Queensland.
Learn more about the use and management of Queensland's water and water planning and catchments in your area of interest.
Local processing and manufacturing
Queensland is investing in extending and strengthening supply chains and local demand to create a new wave of industrialisation based on critical minerals processing and manufacturing. Learn more about how we're doing this in the Queensland resources industry development plan.
We are supporting the growth of local processing and production activity with projects such as the Queensland resources common user facility (QRCUF) located at Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville, within the Townsville State Development Area (SDA).
The Townsville SDA is a defined area of land dedicated for industrial development, which has locational benefits near the Port of Townsville, and connections to key rail routes and a national road network. SDAs offer a streamlined development assessment process for projects and is managed by the Coordinator-General.
Learn more about the purpose and benefits of an SDA, development schemes, and related information for other current state development areas.
Other manufacturing projects are also progressing such as the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) at the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct in Townsville.
Where to from here
Before the mining stage of your resources project can commence, you may need to submit applications at the planning and development stages to meet many different regulatory requirements across many departments. These steps will assist in identifying the departments you will need to engage with in the beginning of your application journey.
For more information
Contact Critical Minerals Queensland at criticalminerals@resources.qld.gov.au with any enquiries.
- Last updated
- 20 June 2024
- Last reviewed
- 20 June 2024