Phosphate player aims to bring certainty for community

North West Phosphate is bringing on work packages for its Paradise South mine, aware of the expectations surrounding the project and what it can deliver for the region. The company has attracted a $5.77 million State grant to help accelerate the $300 million phosphate development, about 130km north-west of Mount Isa. The funding is part of the $30 million Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program, focused on developing key regional projects in the wake of Glencore’s plans to close its underground copper mines and copper concentrator in Mount Isa by the second half of 2025. Related: State awards $30m to fast-track trio of NW Qld mines “We know that, now more than ever, the Queensland Government, local council, workers and suppliers in the North West region will be looking to us to deliver jobs, economic diversity and create wealth for the region,” North West Phosphate managing director and chairman John Cotter said. “We are progressing our Paradise South mine project by commencing early works by way of the construction of our site haul road from the existing Lady Loretta/Austral haul road to our mine footprint. “The decision to bring forward this package of work will deliver local jobs months ahead of our proposed schedule and gives the community certainty that our project will go ahead. North West Phosphate managing director and chairman John Cotter. "It shows locals impacted by the 2025 Glencore underground operation closures that there are good, stable, well-paying jobs still available in the region and that they do not have to move elsewhere. “We are in the final stages of confirming the packages of work and process for tendering on the construction of the haul road and will be providing further information in the coming weeks. “From the workshops we’ve held with local businesses and the information sessions facilitated by the Department of State Development, we now have hundreds of suppliers and subcontractors in our database who have expressed an interest in working with us and we will be contacting them in the coming weeks with more information.” North West Phosphate’s planned 1Mtpa Paradise South operation, near Glencore’s Lady Loretta zinc mine, will include a beneficiation plant to produce phosphate concentrate for domestic and international markets. It is expected to create 200 jobs during construction, while about 245 workers will be employed once the project is operational. Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart announced the grant of the mining lease for the project in May. You may also like: https://industryqld.com.au/harmony-welcomes-leg-up-to-bring-eva-online/

Phosphate player aims to bring certainty for community

Industry Queensland

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