Three Queensland projects have attracted $9.5 million in federal grants between them to advance critical mineral processing plans.

The International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program grants include more than $3.8 million to support Vecco Group’s mining and processing plans, and $3 million to kick along Graphinex’s proposed battery anode operation in Townsville.

Critical Minerals Group has attracted a $2.7 million grant to support a vanadium electrolyte production chain for battery-grade chemical materials in northern Queensland, including Townsville and Mount Isa.

Graphinex is developing its battery anode plant demonstration plant in partnership with Idemitsu Australia and Vecco Group, and has already attracted State Government backing for its plans via the Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund.

The facility will take graphite ore from the Esmeralda deposit south of Croydon and process it through to coated active anode material.

“This significant funding, combined with the Queensland Government’s QCMBTF grant, completes the financial requirements for the project, enabling us to expedite our timeline,” managing director Art Malone said.

“We now expect the demonstration facility to be operational in the first half of 2025, positioning Graphinex at the forefront of Australia’s emerging battery industry.

“These grants not only validate the importance of our work but also align with the government’s commitment to developing critical minerals capabilities. We’re excited to play a crucial role in establishing Townsville as a key hub in the global battery supply chain.”

Related: Vecco mining plans win coordinated project status

Vecco already operates a Townsville vanadium electrolyte plant, which became the first plant of its kind in Australia when it opened last year.

The company is working to start a vanadium mine about 70km north of Julia Creek as one element of a vanadium flow battery manufacturing chain it is developing in collaboration with Sumitomo Electric and Idemitsu.

Critical Minerals Group (CMG) is developing a mine-to-manufacture model based on its Linfield vanadium project in North-West Queensland.

The company has land in Brisbane for enrichment and manufacturing using components coming from Thailand and China.

Related: Vanadium venture ready to succeed pumped hydro option

Resources Minister Madeleine King said the grants announced today would help Australian critical minerals and rare earth projects reach the next stage of development and secure good, highly paid and highly skilled jobs in mining, research and downstream processing.

Along with the Queensland projects, the funding round includes $7.39 million for Tivan’s Speewah fluorite project in Western Australia and $5 million for Australian Rare Earths’ Koppamurra project in South Australia.

The new grants take government funding under the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program to $40 million since it opened in February 2024.

“Critical minerals and rare earths elements are essential components of clean energy technology such as storage batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines, as well as high-technology defence and medical applications,” Ms King said.

“Our ongoing national security and capabilities depend upon growing a strong and internationally competitive critical minerals and rare earth industry.

“Australia is determined to diversify global supply chains for these crucial materials and to create jobs in Australia in projects that support our path to net zero and the energy and security needs of our trading partners.”