Cloncurry dam push to feed mining growth

An expected tsunami of mining growth spurred by delivery of the $5 billion CopperString energy infrastructure has sparked a push to develop Cloncurry's Cave Hill Dam project. The $500 million dam project, with capacity to hold about 140,000 megalitres, would be well placed to support new mining projects, according to Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell. "Copperstring 2.0 will supply highly reliable electricity to communities and customers in North and North-West Queensland and deliver new opportunities for mining, industrial, and manufacturing enterprises, support major hydrogen and renewable energy projects and unlock the potential of irrigated agriculture on the fertile soils near Cloncurry,” Cr Campbell said. “Importantly, Cloncurry sits at the crossroads of the construction area, meaning our town will play a vital role in the project, along with the opportunity it represents to increase mining production and expansion within the region." Cr Campbell said the original driver to build the dam - 40km south of Cloncurry - was to provide sufficient, affordable water to develop an irrigated agriculture precinct in region. But its construction would now be crucial to support the billion-dollar mining projects that were possible thanks to CopperString. Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell. A detailed business case carried out by Jacobs for MITEZ in 2019 concluded that building a dam on the Cloncurry River was technically feasible and would create significant economic opportunities in the region, facilitating the development of 3150 ha of irrigated agriculture. As the site is a short distance upstream from Cloncurry, the report flagged the expenses involved due to the fact it needed to be engineered to high standards to minimise the risk of failure. "The project consequently faces significant challenges relating to return on investment. Other impediments are the lack of irrigation and cropping expertise among current landholders, small customer base and uncertain demand, environmental impacts and strong opposition from the Mitakoodi Mayi Traditional Owners," it stated. "Circumstances need to change, and these challenges overcome or significantly mitigated, before further development of the Cloncurry River Dam proposal can be considered." Cr Campbell argues that the State Government's commitment to build CopperString, and the growth it will bring, is the key change in circumstances required. "CopperString's going to be the catalyst to change and kickstart our communities, and Cave Hill is the next level infrastructure asset that reinforces that growth," he said. He said the Jacobs report also said that, in the absence of reliable water, the economies of scale would not be there to develop an irrigation industry and supporting processing infrastructure such as a cotton gin and other value-adding opportunities such as cotton seed for cattle feed. Cr Campbell said also people must not underestimate the value of water storage in the face of climate change. "While it might look at the dear end of the scale at the moment, I think even within 10 years' time any project that has a commitment to get built and it ticks all the environmental boxes and is not going to cause downstream downstream damage - it's going to be seen as a really smart investment." Cr Campbell is a keen advocate for the formation of a North West Queensland water board to tie in and better utilise water supplies in the Cloncurry and Mount Isa region. This entity could take a leading role in bringing the dam to fruition, he said. Image at top of page: Cave Hill Dam graphic - Sourced from Cloncurry River Dam Detailed Business Case 2019.

Cloncurry dam push to feed mining growth

Industry Queensland

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