The State Government has hailed QMines’ Mount Chalmers project near Rockhampton as an example of the opportunities presented by re-commercialising abandoned mines.

The Queensland Investment Corporation is backing the Mount Chalmers copper-gold development with a $15 million investment, announced in April.

The historical mine site has lain dormant for decades, but the State Government is hopeful its backing through the QIC Critical Minerals Fund will help see hundreds of workers returning.

Image at top of page: Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last; Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates; and Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton on site with QMines chairman and managing director Andrew Sparke.

“The re-commercialisation of abandoned mines presents new opportunities for critical minerals, global investment and hundreds of regional jobs,” Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said.  

“The Crisafulli Government recognises the opportunities that lay within Queensland’s abandoned mines, which is why we have allocated additional funding in the Budget to re-commercialise former mine sites with high-value critical minerals.  

“This is about unlocking new opportunities, restarting operations and giving promising resources projects the confidence to move from exploration to production.  

“This investment in Mount Chalmers reflects how serious the Crisafulli Government is about growing the resources industry – we are cutting red tape, streamlining approvals and delivering targeted investment to fast-track projects.”  

Related: QIC gets behind Mount Chalmers development

Mount Chalmers, 15km north-east of Rockhampton, operated at various times between 1898 and 1982, producing 1.2 million tonnes at 2 per cent copper, 3.6g/t gold and 19g/t silver.

QMines chairman and managing director Andrew Sparke said the QIC investment was a major step forward in bringing Mount Chalmers back into production. 

“Mount Chalmers has a proud history dating back some 160 years, and our development strategy is focused on positioning this project and this community for the future,” Mr Sparke said.  

“Our staged approach will allow us to bring the project online efficiently, while building a long-term operation that supports ongoing employment and regional growth. 

“Copper is essential to the global energy transition, and projects like Mount Chalmers will help ensure Queensland remains a reliable supplier of these important resources.”