Trusted, credible professional expertise is a key part of the mix required to turn resource-rich regions into genuine resource powerhouses, according to AusIMM chief executive officer Stephen Durkin.

“Regional communities are where our critical minerals professional expertise is being developed, honed and deployed – which will deliver enormous benefit for these communities when part of a well-coordinated approach from industry and government,” he said.

Mr Durkin (pictured above) was commenting during AusIMM’s Critical Minerals Conference in Brisbane this week, which included discussions with Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last about how government and the sector’s peak professional body were working together to deliver critical minerals value for and through regional Queensland.

A key focus of the conversation was vital enabling infrastructure such as CopperString alongside advanced plant including the Queensland Resources Common User Facility and Future Industries Flexi-Lab.

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“Taking the next step on critical minerals rests on the leadership of professionals across the sector. It is a public interest story, especially as we witness the accelerating and intensifying pace of change across our economy and society,” Mr Durkin said.

“What we are seeing here in Queensland is a resources sector that will help to transform Australia’s industrial base.

“We are seeing government and the resources sector partner to deliver for current and future generations.”

Mr Last said Queensland was taking a whole-of-government approach to remove risk and demonstrate clearly to the world that the state was open for business.